Stanton, Judge HR, Yankees beat Guards, into ALCS vs Astros
NEW YORK — Gleyber Torres stepped on second base for the final out, swinging his arms back and forth, four times in all, while glaring at Josh Naylor and the Guardians dugout.
Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge rocked Cleveland with early homers, and Nestor Cortes and the New York Yankees rolled into another AL Championship Series matchup with the Houston Astros.
"We got our revenge. We're happy to beat those guys. Now they can watch on TV the next series for us," Torres said after the Yankees beat the Guardians 5-1 in the decisive Game 5 of their AL Division Series on Tuesday night. "It's nothing personal. Just a little thing about revenge."
Yankees manager Aaron Boone won his gamble by starting Cortes on three days' rest over Jameson Taillon, making the late switch after Monday night's rain caused a postponement.
Cleveland manager Terry Francona stayed the course with Aaron Civale instead of switching to 2020 Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber on short rest.
"I've never done it," Bieber said. "But could I have? Sure."
Civale had trouble throwing strikes, and the Guardians never recovered from Stanton's three-run homer just 21 pitches in.
Taillon will start Wednesday night at Houston, which goes with Justin Verlander. The AL matchup features the league's top two regular-season teams in the 106-win Astros and 99-win Yankees, a contrast to the NL championship between wild-card San Diego and Philadelphia.
"When they're all clicking they're great," Yankees ace Gerrit Cole said of the Astros, his former team. When they're not all clicking, they're great."
Cole got two wins against Cleveland and carved the Guardians with just three words. Naylor made the rocking the baby motion repeatedly while rounding the bases after homering off Cole in Game 4.
Cole responded: "Whatever. It's cute."
"We feel like it is a little disrespectful, not just Cole but for the team," Torres said.
Yankees fans in the sellout crowd of 48,178 greeted Naylor with derisive chants of "Who's your daddy!" echoing their treatment of Boston pitcher Pedro Martinez two decades ago.
No offense, Naylor said.
"That was so sick," he said. "That was honestly like a dream come true as a kid. Playing in an environment like this, where they've got diehard fans. It's cool."
Now 27, Cortes he was traded by the Yankees to Seattle after the 2019 season, was dropped by the Mariners a year later and became an All-Star after resurfacing in the Bronx.
"Just the legend of Nestor," Boone said. "Honestly going in, I would have been really excited about 10 batters."
Cortes dominated with three-hit ball for five innings for the win, throwing 61 pitches.
"I've got nothing to lose. I've been in the gutter before. I've been down," Cortes said. "So for me, this is just a cherry on top,"
Jonathan Loáisiga, Clay Holmes and Wandy Peralta finished with five-hit scoreless relief. Peralta became the first Yankees pitcher to appear in all five games of a Division Series..
"Just getting the last out, it's hard to explain. It's such an exciting moment," Peralta said through a translator.
With two outs and two on, Myles Straw hit a grounder to shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who flipped to Torres to end it.
Anthony Rizzo had a fifth-inning RBI bloop single for AL East champion New York, which is seeking its 28th title and first since 2009,
AL Central champion Cleveland, the youngest team in the majors, remained without a championship since 1948. The Guardians whose $68 million payroll is a fraction of the Yankees' $274 million, led 2-1 in the best-of-five series.
"I know they are hurting right now," Francona said. "This needs to be a starting place for us. This can't just be a good story this year. We need to take this and go, because I think we have a chance to have something really special."
José Ramírez's third-inning sacrifice fly drove in the only run for Cleveland, which has lost a big league record 11 straight postseason elimination games.
New York hit .182 but outhomered the Guardians 9-3 as Stanton and Judge each went deep twice. The Yankees scored 16 of their 20 runs on long balls.
"We definitely had to throw the first punch in a game like this," Stanton said.
Judge, who homered on an opposite-field drive to right against Sam Hentges, became the first player with four homers in winner-take-all postseason games. He tugged at and kissed the interlocking "NY" on his jersey after reaching the dugout.
"I've been watching a lot of Premier League soccer games. So I've seen those guys doing it," Judge said. "It was in the moment."
Civale threw just 12 of 26 pitches for strikes, getting only one swing and miss and just one out.
Torres walked on four pitches leading off, Judge struck out on a full-count curveball and Civale hit Rizzo on the left thigh with a pitch.
Stanton lined a cutter 379 feet into the short right-field porch, a drive that would be a home run in only three of the 30 major league ballparks.
Civale stared into his stall after the game, wearing a hooded sweatshirt, before showering and then answeing questions.
"Just didn't have great command early on and didn't last very long," he said. "Left a pitch up, rand one of the guys that gets paid to hit home runs hit a home run."
TOO LATE
Cleveland failed to ask for a video review in the fourth inning when Andrés Giménez clearly beat a diving Rizzo to the first-base bag. Francona said he ran out of time.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Yankees: LF Aaron Hicks hurt his left knee in a collision with SS Oswaldo Cabrera chasing a Steven Kwan's popup, which fell for a single. Hicks said his postseason is over after an MRI showed the knee requires a six-week recovery. ... RHPs Ron Marinaccio (right shin) and Frankie Montas (right shoulder) could be activated agaist Houston. ... OF Andrew Benintendi (right wrist) is unlikely.
UP NEXT
Guardians: Open the season at Seattle on March 30.
"Houston, we're coming after you!"
It was a celebration in the Bronx as the Yankees beat Cleveland in the deciding Game 5 of the American League Division Series.
Fans filled the streets outside the stadium following last night's victory. The Yankees now advance to the American League Championship Series, which begins tonight in Houston.
As CBS2's John Dias reported, fans are no doubt waking up this morning still smiling ear to ear.
The Yankees booked a ticket to the championship series with a 5-1 victory. They just need to keep up this winning trend.
From the fans cheering outside the stadium and taking over the streets, to the team celebrating with champagne on the field, if energy alone could win the ALCS, consider the Yankees already victorious.
"Houston, we're coming after you!" one fan yelled.
"We want Houston!" another added.
"Let's go Yankees!" others cheered.
After defeating the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday, advancing them to the series, the Bronx Bombers are now chasing their 28th World Series championship.
"Extremely proud. This is a great group of guys that continue to show up every single night. No matter what the outcome is -- not matter if our backs are up against the wall or we're leading the series, these guys came and show out every single day," Aaron Judge said after the game.
They did just that, with the help of Judge's second inning home run, his fourth in a winner-take-all game.
Nestor Cortes threw 61 pitches, allowing just three hits, one run and one walk, while striking out two batters.
"I wasn't trying to strike out the world. I wasn't trying to do anything different," he said. "It feels great to come out on top and lead the team to the CS."
The Yankees now take on the Houston Astros. But as Yankees Manager Aaron Boone says, his team is ready.
"They believe. They've got so much belief in one another. Plus, we are really talented," said Boone.
The Yankees have a short turnaround. Game 1 is tonight at 7:37 p.m. in Houston.
Inside the locker room
Fans celebrate Yankees win against Guardians
Empire State Building lights up for Yankees win
Yankees pride was on full display all over the city Tuesday night. The Empire State Building was shining blue and white for the big win.
Yankee fans celebrate win over Guardians
Enthusiasm bubbling over for fans and neighborhood merchants
The Yankees fans that sat through the rain Monday night weren't happy the game was pushed to Tuesday afternoon, but at least it's sunny and dry in the Bronx.
As CBS2's Dave Carlin reports, do or die games brings groups back after Monday's postponement. No rain this time, and a strong sense for Yankees fans of "let's get this done."
"We're happy that we're able to come back today," John Kennedy and Yolanda Gonzalez told Carlin.
It was their second visit to Yankee Stadium in as many days.
"I came with a positive spirit that we're going to make it," Gonzalez said.
"To wrap this series up with Cleveland so we can move on to Houston and do what we have to do to redeem ourselves," Kennedy said. "A lot of our players got hurt toward the end of the season, thought we were getting them back. Now hopefully we can do what we've got to do to take this victory again today."
"Hoping that the Yanks get some hits. Our pitching has been pretty solid for us, but the bats need to come alive," said Bronx resident Carl De Stefano.
Fans told Carlin it meant leaving work early or taking the entire day off, so be it.
"I took the day off from work yesterday, took the day off today just to watch the Yankees win today," one fan said.
A great season means great business at Stan's sports bar just around the corner from the stadium, and merchants and vendors throughout the neighborhood. Business is brisk.
"They're having fun outside the Yankee Stadium. You know, it's been great for everybody - Yankees, us," said store manager Joseph Abbadi.
Yanks off to a strong start in Game 5
It may be cold, but baseball fans in the Bronx are hoping the bats get hot tonight.
The Yankees are in the deciding game of the ALDS against Cleveland.
The Yankees season is on the line. A win and they move on to the ALCS against Houston Wednesday night.
The game couldn't have started any better for the Yankees. In the very first inning, Giancarlo Stanton took it deep for a three run home run. He's hit 11 postseason home runs in just 77 career at bats. Stanton is 6'6" but plays even bigger on the biggest stage.
Aaron Judge added to it with a solo shot in the second inning. At the third inning, it was 4-0 Yankees.
Major League Baseball may have been able to play the game last night, but not until after 10 p.m. This was the second time in the series Mother Nature has postponed a game.
Fans not missing this one
It's a deciding game with the Yankees favored to win at home.
Some fans told CBS2's Dave Carlin there was no way they'd miss this one. If it means leaving work early, or taking the day off, so be it.
"I took the day off from work yesterday, taking the day off today, just to watch the Yankees win today," one fan told Carlin. "We've got to root for the game today, you've got to root for the Yankees."
A great season means great business for Stan's Sports Bar just around the corner from the stadium. Merchants and vendors around the stadium are also seeing brisk sales.
"This year, very good. Everybody's coming out, everybody's enjoying some Yankees merchant games, they're having fun outside the stadium," one man said. "It's been great for everybody."
"As a Yankees fan, this is exactly what I've been waiting for, so we can actually go to the game," another man added.
In what could be described as hostile territory, Cleveland Guardians fans can expect to get an earful from the homefield fans.
Disappointed fans depart Yankee Stadium
Game 5 rained out
The Yankees and Guardians took batting practice Monday ahead of the scheduled 7:07 p.m. start. Major League Baseball announced a delay at 6:20 p.m., rain started falling at 7:30 p.m. and the postponement was announced at 9:38 p.m.
"If weather is an issue, I don't want to be powering through that necessarily," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said around 4 p.m.
Cleveland outfielder Myles Straw, who got into an angry confrontation with Yankees fans in April, exchanged football tosses with fans in the first and second decks during the delay, as did backup outfielder Will Brennan.
The center field video board showed split screen coverage of New York City's 3-0 win over Miami in the Major League Soccer playoffs, the New York Rangers' NHL game against the Anaheim Ducks and the Denver Broncos' NFL matchup vs. the San Diego Chargers.
This was the second postponement of the series following Game 2 at Yankee Stadium being pushed back a day until Friday.
Cleveland or New York will start the AL Championship Series at Houston on Wednesday night.
Aaron Civale had been scheduled to start Monday for the Guardians and Jameson Taillon for the Yankees. The postponement allows the possibility for Cleveland ace Shane Bieber and New York All-Star Nestor Cortes to start on three days' rest.
After losing last week's opener, Cleveland won Games 2 and 3, overcoming a two-run deficit in the ninth inning to win Game 3 by 6-5. The Yankees won 4-2 on Sunday night in Cleveland to force the series back to New York.
New York gets a day for its beleaguered bullpen to rest.
New York used Clay Holmes for 17 pitches and Wandy Peralta for seven on Sunday, a night after Peralta threw 27, Clarke Schmidt 12, Jonathan Loáisiga 15 and Lou Trivino seven.
The Yankees are missing Chad Green, Scott Effress, Zack Britton, Michael King and Ron Marinaccio because of injuries, and Aroldis Chapman was dropped after failing to show up for a mandatory Oct. 7 workout.
Cleveland has not used its top relievers since Friday, when All-Star closer Emmanuel Classe threw 33 pitches after Trevor Stephan had 21 and James Karinchak 29.
The Guardians used Sam Hentges (31), Enyel De Los Santos (19) and Eli Morgan (12) on Saturday, and Morgan (23), Cody Morris (22) and Zach Plesac (11) on Saturday.
Cortes threw 92 pitches over five innings Friday. Bieber threw 101 pitches over 5 2/3 innings in the same game.
PLAYING THE FIELD
New York slugger Giancarlo Stanton could see time in left field in Houston if the Yankees advance. He has been limited to DH and pinch hitting, and he last played the outfield on July 21, before he went on the injured list for a month with left Achilles tendinitis.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Yankees: Marinaccio (right shin) and fellow RHP Frankie Montas (right shoulder inflammation) could be available if the Yankees face Houston. Marinaccio last pitched Oct. 2 and Montas on Sept 16. ... OF Andrew Benintendi, who hasn't played since Sept. 2, had an injection for his right wrist and probably would not be available against the Astros.
Start of Game 5 delayed
New York fans rooting for a win after a big sports weekend
So here we are.
After a ninth inning disaster in game three Saturday night, the Yanks bounced back when their backs were against the wall on the road, forcing a do or die game five in the friendly confines of Yankee Stadium.
"It's going to be crazy... just the fans, that atmosphere in the Bronx at Yankee Stadium is what we thrive off of. Can't wait to just feel the energy there. It's what you play for - win or go home games. We're looking forward to the challenge," said relief pitcher Clay Holmes.
An unexpected power source in the series has been Bronxville native Harrison Bader. Three huge home runs in four games including a two run bomb Sunday night. He was injured over the summer, so it took a while for Yankee fans to get acquainted with him. But they obviously like what they see now.
Bader is also a lifelong Yankees fan so this series has been a dream becoming reality.
"I just view, you know, being traded here very serendipitously, and I just look to take, you know, advantage of it every single day. It's definitely sweet, but, you know, again I'm here to play ball. I'm here to win. But to be able to do it in a Yankees uniform is definitely sweet, no doubt about it."
There's been no doubt at the amount of good local sports karma in the past 24 hours. Before the Yanks won Sunday night, the Jets and Giants continued to surprise us with the amount of success they're both having.
The Giants are shocking the league with a 5-1 record after the pulled off a 24-20 comeback against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens at MetLife Stadium. And how about the Jets? At 4-2 they're off to the their best start in seven seasons, taking it to Aaron Rodgers and the Packers at Lambeau Field with a 27-10 thumping.
A big night ahead in the Bronx
It's a big night for Yankee fans - the momentum shifting in New York's favor yet again for the winner-takes-all game five back in the Bronx.
The Yankees took home a game four win Sunday night in Cleveland hopped on a flight and the team will now face the Guardians for the final time, and many are hoping it turns out to be a "Yankees-takes-all" game.
CBS2's Zinnia Maldonado caught up with fans outside the stadium Monday morning and brings us what they're hoping to see Monday night.
The excitement and passion are both sky-high at Yankee Stadium Monday morning.
"Aaron Judge - I love that guy. So because of him, I want us to win and I believe we're going to win," one fan said.
"I want to hear my from CBS go 'Yankees win! The Yankees win,'" said another.
With hours to go before the first pitch at 7:07 p.m. Monday night, fans are on the edge of their seats, hoping for another win.
"We're just going right now. We're hoping that Judge and everybody does what they need to do tonight. This is do or die," said a fan.
After Saturday's loss to the Guardians, the Yankees took home a lifesaving win Sunday night in Cleveland, allowing the team to come back to the Bronx for game five.
Yankees starting pitcher for Monday is Jameson Taillon, making his first career postseason start, and second appearance in the division series.
"Playing in the Yankee Stadium in a Yankee uniform, every game is a big game. It's a big opportunity. Props to Gerrit for pushing the ball forward. We get back with a rested bullpen and I'm ready to go for game five," Taillon said.
The team is playing up their return home for the final game.
"If there's a game being played, we feel as though we're in the driver's seat and that's how we remain dangerous. We don't want it any other way to return back to the Bronx," Harrison Bader said.
The fans agree. A Yankees game played at Yankee Stadium is like no other, bringing a lot more than just baseball to the Bronx.
"If we get this going I know we're going to go all the way. I think this is the time and we need a little hope in this world. We had a lot of darkness with the pandemic and we just want to get to the next level," one fan said.
"It's great that the Yankees are finally in momentum and it's great for the Bronx ... We have a lot of great people coming back," said another.
A lot of excitement is riding on Monday's game, and if the Yankees win they'll move forward to face the Houston Astros on Wednesday in the AL Championship Series.