SouthernWorldwide.com – The New York Yankees secured their second consecutive victory without star player Aaron Judge, defeating the Cleveland Guardians 7-5 in extra innings on Monday night.
Cody Bellinger was the hero of the game, delivering a clutch two-run single with the bases loaded in the 10th inning to seal the win for the Yankees.
The Yankees’ offense was also bolstered by home runs from Paul Goldschmidt and Ryan McMahon. This victory marked their first win in four extra-inning games played this season.
The Guardians had taken a brief lead in the fifth inning when Angel Martinez hit a two-run homer, making the score 5-4. However, the Yankees managed to tie the game in the eighth inning courtesy of Goldschmidt’s grounder that drove in Trent Grisham.
In the decisive 10th inning, with Ali Sanchez placed as the automatic runner on second base, the Guardians opted to intentionally walk Ben Rice with one out, setting up a bases-loaded situation. Max Schuemann then successfully challenged a called strike three on a full count, which was overturned to a ball, thus loading the bases.
Facing a drawn-in infield, Bellinger stepped up and hit a base hit to left field off pitcher Shawn Armstrong (1-1), bringing home both Sanchez and Rice for the game-winning runs.
The win was credited to David Bednar (2-3), who pitched 1 2/3 hitless innings, striking out three batters. He was the seventh pitcher for the Yankees and retired five of the six batters he faced.
Martinez’s crucial home run came after a significant slump, having gone 8-for-61 at the plate prior to his blast to right-center off pitcher Paul Blackburn in the fifth. This was Martinez’s first home run since May 17, when he homered against the Cincinnati Reds.
The Yankees initially took the lead in the first inning after Rice drew a walk. Paul Goldschmidt then connected with a cutter from Guardians’ starter Gavin Williams, sending it over the left-field bleachers for a home run. Goldschmidt has been on a hot streak, hitting safely in 11 of his last 12 games, with a .314 batting average, three home runs, and 13 RBIs during this period.
Ryan McMahon extended the Yankees’ lead in the fifth inning, leading off the frame with a home run to left field on a low curveball, putting the Yankees ahead 4-3.
In the eighth inning, with runners on first and third and one out, the Guardians showcased impressive defense. Shortstop Brayan Rocchio made a spectacular diving stop on a hard-hit grounder by Jazz Chisholm Jr. up the middle. Rocchio managed to touch second base with his glove, pivot, and then throw out Chisholm at first base from his right knee to complete a crucial double play, preventing the Yankees from extending their lead.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
