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Big Christmas Gift And Another Big Fry-Day Lift Guards To Improbable Win
Cleveland Guardians’ David Fry celebrates after hitting a game-winning two-run home run against the New York Yankees during the 10th inning in Game 3 of the baseball AL Championship Series Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in Cleveland. The Guardians won 7-5. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

(10-17-24)

Improbable! Unbelievable! Remarkable! Unforgettable!

Four words that appropriately describe the Cleveland Guardians 7-5, walk off, 10th inning win over the Yankees Thursday night at Progressive Field in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series.

Down to their last out in the bottom of the 9th, trailing the Yankees 5-3 and facing a 3-0 deficit in the ALCS,  rookie pinch hitter Jhonkensy Noel, a.k.a. “Big Christmas” hit a game tying 2-run homer to force extra innings and then David Fry blasted a 2-run bomb of his own in the bottom of the 10th for the thrilling, walk off victory.

Cleveland Guardians’ Jhonkensy Noel hits a two-run home run against the New York Yankees during the ninth inning in Game 3 of the baseball AL Championship Series Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

All of this happened after Cleveland closer, Emmanuel Clase had blown a 3-1 lead in the top of the 8th inning when he gave up back-to-back homers to Aaron Judge(2-run shot) and Giancarlo Stanton(solo shot) to turn a 3-1 lead into a 4-3 deficit.

The Yanks would add an insurance run in the top of the 9th to make it 5-3 and it looked like they were about to take a commanding 3-0 series lead if their dominate closer Luke Weaver could get the game’s final 3 outs in the bottom of the 9th..

He got 2.

But down to that last out, “Legendary” Lane Thomas double off of Weaver and then Noel tied things up with one swing of the bat after being sent in by manager Stephen Voght to pinch hit for right fielder Daniel Schneeman.

Then in the bottom of the 10th with 2 out, Fry, with Bo Naylor on 3rd base after getting his 1st hit of the postseason, crushed the game winner off of losing pitcher Clay Holmes.

Rookie designated hitter, Kyle Manzardo also blasted a 2-run homer for the Guardians earlier in the 3rd inning to give them a 2-1 lead at the time.

The win in this crazy, roller coaster game, that had so many twists and turns, ups and downs, gut wrenching and exhilarating moments went to reliever Pedro Avila.

With the victory, the Yankees lead in this best-of-7 series is now just 2 games to 1.

Game 4 of the ALCS takes place Friday night again at Progressive Field in Cleveland with Gavin Williams starting for the Guardians and Luis Gil for New York.

1st pitch comes your way at 8:08pm and will be broadcast on Mix 94.1 FM.