In a stunning turn of events, the Cleveland Guardians defeated the New York Yankees 7-5 in a walk-off thriller during Game 3 of the American League Championship Series. The game, held Thursday night at Progressive Field, featured multiple lead changes in the final innings before David Fry ended it with a dramatic home run in the 10th. With the win, Cleveland cuts New York’s series lead to 2-1.
Yankees’ Power Surge Gives False Hope
It looked like the Yankees had stolen the game in the eighth inning. Trailing by a run, superstar Aaron Judge stepped up and blasted a game-tying solo home run off Cleveland’s dominant closer, Emmanuel Clase. It was Judge’s second homer in as many games, once again delivering in a high-pressure moment.
Just moments later, Giancarlo Stanton followed with his own solo shot, giving the Yankees a 5-4 lead. The back-to-back homers silenced the Cleveland crowd and put New York just three outs away from a commanding 3-0 series lead. With their most powerful hitters coming through, it felt like the game was firmly in the Yankees’ control.
Guardians Answer Back in the Ninth
The Yankees’ celebration was short-lived. In the bottom of the ninth inning, with reliever Luke Weaver on the mound, Cleveland refused to go down quietly. After two quick outs, the Guardians’ hopes rested on the shoulders of pinch-hitter Jhonkensy Noel.
Noel delivered the biggest hit of his career, launching a two-run homer to tie the game at 5-5. The unexpected blast sent Progressive Field into an absolute frenzy and left the Yankees stunned. A game they thought was won had been ripped from their grasp, forcing the contest into extra innings.
Fry’s Heroics End it in the 10th
The momentum had completely shifted to Cleveland’s side heading into the 10th inning. The Yankees failed to score in their half, setting the stage for more late-game heroics from the Guardians. New York brought in reliever Clay Holmes to face the heart of the Cleveland order.
That’s when David Fry stepped to the plate and ended the game with one swing. Fry crushed a two-run, walk-off home run, securing a 7-5 victory for the Guardians. The stadium erupted as Fry rounded the bases and was mobbed by his teammates at home plate, capping off an incredible comeback.
A Game of Costly Mistakes and Bullpen Duels
While the late-inning home runs stole the headlines, the Yankees were plagued by small mistakes earlier in the game. They took an early 1-0 lead in the second inning on a Jose Trevino single, but he was promptly picked off first base, killing a potential rally. It was the third time a Yankee runner had been picked off in the last two games.
The game also highlighted a battle between two strong bullpens. Cleveland’s relief pitchers were sharp for most of the night, with arms like Cade Smith shutting down the Yankees’ top hitters. While New York finally got to Emmanuel Clase in the eighth, it was the Guardians’ bullpen that ultimately won the war of attrition.
| Inning | Team | Scoring Play | Score (NYY-CLE) |
| Top 8th | Yankees | Aaron Judge solo home run | 4-4 |
| Top 8th | Yankees | Giancarlo Stanton solo home run | 5-4 |
| Bottom 9th | Guardians | Jhonkensy Noel two-run home run | 5-5 |
| Bottom 10th | Guardians | David Fry two-run home run | 5-7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Game 3 of the ALCS between the Yankees and Guardians?
The Cleveland Guardians won Game 3 with a final score of 7-5, thanks to a walk-off home run in the 10th inning by David Fry.
What is the current series score?
The New York Yankees now lead the best-of-seven American League Championship Series 2-1 over the Cleveland Guardians.
Who hit the key home runs in the game?
Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton hit back-to-back homers for the Yankees in the 8th. Jhonkensy Noel hit a game-tying homer for the Guardians in the 9th, and David Fry hit the walk-off homer in the 10th.
Which pitchers gave up the late-game home runs?
Emmanuel Clase gave up the homers to Judge and Stanton. Luke Weaver allowed the game-tying homer to Noel, and Clay Holmes gave up the walk-off homer to Fry.
