Jhonkensy Noel, David Fry, come to the rescue as Guardians win ALCS Game 3 in extras
Cleveland would win in extras as New York's bullpen imploded late in the contest.
There was a moment on Thursday night that seemed like the Cleveland Guardians' chances in Game 3 and the ALCS were dead in the water. Emmanuel Clase, also known as the best reliever in the sport, gave up home runs to both Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, resulting in their 3-1 turning into a 4-1 deficit. The feeling of doom and gloom overtook Progressive Field, as it seemed the Yankees were well on their way to a 3-0 in the ALCS, with a World Series berth seeming inevitable. But here's the thing when it comes to playoff baseball, the moment you think you know how something will play out, everything changes.
Now down 5-3 in the bottom of the 9th with two outs in the inning and Lane Thomas standing on 2nd, the Guardians needed a miracle, a Christmas miracle perhaps. Guardians manager Stephen Vogt called upon Jhonkensy "Big Christmas" Noel in what can only be described as the biggest at-bat in his brief major league career. Noel would crush a middle-middle changeup into the bleachers, promptly tying the game at 5 as it neared its end.
Suddenly, a Guardians team that looked dead in the water just 1 inning ago was full of life. Cleveland was able to take the pressure that once resided on their shoulders and place it on New York's. But this was all the setup for what was to come next.
After keeping the Yankees off the scoreboard in the top of the 10th, it was the Guardians' turn to channel some playoff magic. With Bo Naylor standing on 3rd and two outs in the inning, David Fry would come to the plate, and he would not disappoint. Fry demolished a hanging sinker into the night sky and into the bleachers for a clutch walk-off two-run homer as Cleveland would win by a score of 7-5.
For Guardians fans, seeing Fry come through in a big spot is nothing new. For the national audience who was yet to be acquainted with Fry, this was a more than worthy introduction to one of Cleveland's unsung heroes.
This was a game the Guardians had to win if they were going to show some resistance in this series. The Yankees were moving right along with seemingly no pushback from Cleveland and the moment it appeared the shoe was on the other foot, New York thought they delivered a knockout punch. Being able to answer back in dramatic fashion and suck the life out of the Yankees' clubhouse may be just what this team needed to make this a competitive series.