NEED TO KNOW: Guardians Win Thriller in Game 3, 6-5!!!

In this series, I will write a “Need To Know” article for every Cleveland Guardians playoff game telling you all there is after the game is over! The Guardians won against the New York Yankees in Game 3 of The ALDS, 6-5 at Progressive Field! It was an absolute thriller!

The Guardians Never Quit – Remember THOSE Guys

Down 5-3 in the bottom of the 9th, this is what happened. After a Luke Maile flyout, the Guardians have an out and are down two. Then, Myles Straw singled to left, Steven Kwan singled to left center and it forced coach Aaron Boone to put reliever Clarke Schmidt in to pitch for the Yankees. Next for the Guards, Amed Rosario singled to left and it scores Straw and moved Kwan to third. This made it a 5-4 Yankees lead. Following that, Jose Ramirez reached on an infield single (Kwan to third Rosario to second loading the bases). Josh Naylor sadly struck out.

I just wanted to point out that all of that had to happen in order for what followed…

HE’S DONE IT AGAIN

With two outs in the bottom of the 9th down 5-4, Oscar Gonzalez stepped to the plate. Down to his last strike, he lined a single to center field scoring Steven Kwan and Amed Rosario. This is the same player that blasted a walk-off home run in Cleveland to beat the Tampa Bay Rays. This guy is something special!

“Great moments are born from great opportunity” pic.twitter.com/jrQaQBle5H

— Cleveland Sports Talk (@CLEsportsTalk) October 16, 2022

This was the Rays game walk-off homer:

IT’S OVER!!! pic.twitter.com/p73TBxin7S

— Cleveland Sports Talk (@CLEsportsTalk) October 8, 2022

 

Can’t Keep Leaving So Many Men on Base 

The Guardians left nine men on base. Yes, they won the game, but that cannot happen moving forward. The team must produce with those opportunities to score in the coming games.

Aaron Judge Finally Showed Up For the Yankees 

The Yankees bomber blasted a two-run homer to tie the game at two in the 3rd inning. It was a “no doubt about-er.” Before that, Judge was could not find his swing in this series. However, it must be noted that was his only hit in the game. That was big.

Triston McKenzie Was Great Until He Wasn’t…

McKenzie was on-point really until the aforementioned Judge homer. Then, Oswaldo Cabrera hit a two-run homer to give the Yankees a 4-2 lead. Five innings pitched, four hits, four runs, five strikeouts and one walk for McKenzie.

Bullpen Solid 

Besides a Harrison Bader home run, the bullpen gave up no more runs. It gave the team a chance. Sam Hentges with 1.2 IP, Enyel De Los Santos with 1.1 IP and Eli Morgan with 1.0 IP. Then homer was from Hentges.

Have to Preven Yankees Longball in Game 4 (And Hopefully not 5) 

The Yankees’ five runs came off of three home runs and that’s their game but still. If the Guardians want to win, they have to try and prevent the long ball.

One Of The Best Games of My Life

What a game, what a finish and the team never quits. The walk-off was so exciting and Hammy’s call paired with the highlight is incredible. I was jumping up and down and gave my mother a big hug and kiss. She said, “Stop, you’ll hurt your shoulder.” Not entirely wrong as it easily dislocates. Luckily, I’m all good HAHA!

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Game 4 is tonight at Progressive Field, first pitch at 7:07 as the Guardians look to WIN the series. If the team were to lose (which they won’t), a potential Game 5 would be in New York with the first pitch being at 7:07 as well.

Go Guards!!!