In a pivotal Game 2 of the AL Championship Series, the New York Yankees took a commanding 2-0 lead over the Cleveland Guardians, winning 6-3 on Tuesday night. Aaron Judge, who had been relatively quiet during this postseason, delivered a game-changing two-run home run in the seventh inning, sending the ball soaring towards Monument Park and electrifying the Bronx faithful. The blast marked Judge’s first home run of the 2024 postseason, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
The game began with a pair of struggling aces, as Cleveland’s Tanner Bibee and New York’s Gerrit Cole both had uncharacteristically short outings. Bibee, who had been one of Cleveland’s more consistent arms, lasted just 1 1/3 innings—the shortest start of his professional career. Meanwhile, Cole battled control issues, giving up four walks and lasting only 4 1/3 innings before turning the game over to the bullpen. Despite their rough starts, it was the Yankees’ relievers who ultimately steadied the ship.
The Yankees opened the scoring in the second inning. Gleyber Torres drew a leadoff walk, and with two outs, Cleveland decided to intentionally walk Juan Soto, loading the bases for Aaron Judge. The Guardians’ strategy backfired as Judge lifted a sacrifice fly to deep center, scoring Torres and giving New York an early 3-0 advantage. This RBI was just Judge’s second of the postseason, but it set the tone for what was to come.
Cleveland clawed back, scoring twice to cut the deficit to 3-2, but the Yankees answered in the seventh. With New York holding a 4-2 lead, Judge stepped up against Guardians’ reliever Hunter Gaddis. He turned on a high fastball, driving it 414 feet to dead center field. As the ball disappeared into the night sky, Gleyber Torres tagged up at first base, adding a lighthearted moment to Judge’s decisive shot. It was Judge’s 14th career postseason home run, a fitting contribution from the likely AL MVP.
The Yankees’ bullpen continued its dominant stretch, with Clay Holmes, Tim Hill, and Tommy Kahnle combining for 3 2/3 scoreless innings. Though Cleveland’s José Ramírez managed a solo home run off Luke Weaver in the ninth, it was too little, too late. This marked only the second earned run allowed by New York’s bullpen in 23 1/3 innings over six postseason games.
The victory gives the Yankees a 2-0 lead in the ALCS for the first time since 2009, when they defeated the Los Angeles Angels en route to their 27th World Series title. As the series shifts to Cleveland for Game 3 on Thursday, the Yankees find themselves in a strong position, just two wins away from another World Series appearance.
The Guardians will look to regroup and stave off elimination at home, but for now, it’s the Yankees who hold the momentum—led by their captain, Aaron Judge, who once again proved why fans shout “All Rise” when he steps up to the plate.