Gerrit Cole steps up, Yankees defeat Guardians 4-2 to force Game 5 of ALDS
Facing elimination on Sunday night, ace Gerrit Cole stepped up when the New York Yankees needed him most.
In Game 4 of the ALDS, Cole pitched seven strong innings, helping lead the Yankees to a 4-2 win over the Cleveland Guardians to force a Game 5.
Cole gave up just two earned runs off six hits and struck out eight to earn the victory on the mound.
The Yankees' bats gave Cole some much-needed run support early. Anthony Rizzo hit an RBI single in the first inning, followed by a two-run home run by Harrison Bader in the second, and just like that, the Yankees were up 3-0 after two innings.
The Guardians cut the Yankees' lead to 3-2 after an RBI single by Jose Ramirez in the third inning and a solo shot by Josh Naylor in the fourth.
A Giancarlo Stanton sacrifice fly platted Aaron Judge in the sixth inning, giving the Yankees all the insurance they'd need.
From there, Cole and the Yankees' bullpen took care of things. After Clay Holmes pitched a scoreless eighth, Wandy Peralta entered in the ninth, setting the Guardians down in order to earn the save.
The ALDS comes down to a deciding Game 5, Monday at Yankee Stadium starting at 7:07 p.m.
Jameson Taillon will take the hill for the Yankees, while Aaron Civale will get the ball for the Guardians.
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