CLEVELAND — It will all come down to one game.
The New York Yankees defeated the Guardians 4-2 Sunday night in Game 4 of the American League Division Series at Progressive Field, spoiling Cleveland’s chance to advance to the ALCS in front of their home fans and instead sending things back to the Bronx for a decisive Game 5. Following a gut-wrenching loss in Game 3, the Yanks did it all on this night, from timely hitting to dominant pitching from their ace.
After New York took the lead on an RBI single by Anthony Rizzo in the first inning, Harrison Bader made it 3-0 with a two-run home run off Cal Quantrill in the second. It was Bader’s third homer of the series after tallying just five during the regular season.
The Guards got on the board in the bottom of the third with a bloop single by José Ramírez, but the four-time All-Star strayed too far off first base and was tagged out to end the inning, stymying a potential rally. Josh Naylor made it 3-2 one inning later with a solo blast to left, but that would be it for Cleveland in the scoring department.
Just like in Game 1, Yankees starter Gerrit Cole delivered when it mattered, allowing six hits across seven strong innings while striking out eight to pick up the victory and improve to 2-0 in the series. Also like Game 1, his counterpart Cal Quantrill took the loss, surrendering three runs across five frames. Giancarlo Stanton added New York’s last run with a sacrifice fly in the sixth against Eli Morgan.
There was a little bit of controversy, as Naylor raised eyebrows with a particularly animated celebration as he rounded the bases for his fourth-inning homer. Cole seemed to scoff at the idea he and his teammates were bothered by the display, calling it "cute."
First pitch for the winner-take-all Game 5 is set for Monday night at 7:07 p.m. from Yankee Stadium, with Aaron Civale (5-6, 4.92 ERA in regular season) getting the start for the Guardians against the Yankees’ Jameson Taillon (14-5, 3.91), who lost Game 2 in relief. Since 1999, Cleveland is now 4-20 in postseason elimination games, including 0-8 when they themselves are the ones who could be sent home.
Check out postgame reaction from the Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show: