The Cleveland Guardians avoided an 0-3 deficit against the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series — barely.
Down by two runs with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, Guardians right fielder Jhonkensy Noel knotted things at 5-5 with a home run. An inning later, David Fry hit his own two-run homer, giving Cleveland the 7-5 win.
Noel is just the third player with a tying home run in the bottom of the ninth inning or later of an ALCS game. Fry’s walk-off home run is the third in Guardians playoff history.
The Yankees are now 196-2 in their postseason history when leading by multiple runs in the ninth inning or later. The series will continue with Game 4 on Friday in Cleveland.
The Guardians’ escape from defeat prompted reaction from around the sports world.
Playoff baseball baby!!! @CleGuardians have the city absolutely ROCKIN TONIGHT!! What a game! :fire::fire::fire:
— Travis Kelce (@tkelce) October 18, 2024
David Fry Again:scream::scream::scream:
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) October 18, 2024
Damn…
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) October 18, 2024
#W!!
— Jameis Winston (@Jaboowins) October 18, 2024
GUARDIANS!!!!! Walk off :exploding_head:
— Tristan Thompson (@RealTristan13) October 18, 2024
ESPN Research contributed to this story.