YANKEES NARROWLY AVOID LOSS, WIN GAME FOUR

Friday night Luis Gil and Gavin Williams made their post season debuts as the Yankees and Guardians battled it out in game 4 of the ALCS. 
Gil gave up 2 runs on 3 hits, 3 walks and 3 strikeouts in four innings. Williams gave up 3 runs on 3 hits with 4 strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings.

Gleyber Torres hitting leading off hit a single in the first inning and scored on a home run by Juan Soto. Steven Kwan walked in his first at bat and scored on a sacrifice fly by Jose Ramirez. The Yankees lead 2-1 after the first inning.

Austin Wells who was back behind home plate hit a solo home run in the second inning.

Kwan hit a single in the third inning and scored again thanks to a single by Josh Naylor which put the Guardians down 1 run.

In the sixth inning Soto walked and Aaron Judge hit a single. Both scored on a home run by Giancarlo Stanton to put the Yankees up 6-2.

But Jake Cousins and Clay Holmes struggled in the seventh inning as the Guardians fought to come back. Brayan Rocchio walked and Kwan hit another single to start off the inning. Both scored off back to back doubles by Ramirez and J. Naylor. Ramirez also scored which put the Guardians down 1 run again.

Mark Leiter Jr. made his post season debut in the eighth inning as he was added to the roster to replace the injured Ian Hamilton. He gave up a double and got the next two batters to pop out and ground out. But with 2 outs, David Fry hit a short single that Leiter tried to retrieve, but not realizing his surroundings, his throw to Rizzo was not well done and the ball went through Rizzo’s legs, which allowed a run to score. The Guardians now tied the game. He intentionally walked Ramirez and then luckily got J. Naylor to strikeout swinging before anymore damage was done.

In the top of the ninth inning, Anthony Rizzo and Anthony Volpe hit singles. Jon Berti was brought in to pinch run for Rizzo and Volpe stole second putting runners on second and third. Alex Verdugo hit a line drive to Rocchio and reached first on a fielding error as Rocchio struggled with the ball. Berti scored on that play and Volpe moved to third on another error. Torres continued to be clutch as he hit a 2 run single to put the Yankees back on top.

Tommy Kahnle came in to pitch the ninth inning with the Yankees 3 outs away from winning the game. The first batter struck out looking. Jhonkensy Noel who hit a big home run the night before, walked. Andres Gimenez hit a single and with the tying runs on base, Bo Naylor flied out to center and Rocchio grounded out.

The Yankees won 8-6 to lead the ALCS 3-2.

The Yankees have the chance to become the American League Champions tonight with Carlos Rodon on the mound against Tanner Bibee.

Let’s go Yankees!