Cleveland Guardians right fielder Oscar Gonzalez (39) reacts after hitting the game-winning single against the New York Yankees in the ninth inning during game three of the NLDS for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Progressive Field. Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Guardians rally for three runs in the 9th to stun Yankees, take 2-1 advantage in ALDS

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 10/16/22

Only a day removed from a dramatic extra-inning win in Game 2 of the ALDS, the Cleveland Guardians shocked the New York Yankees again on Saturday.

Trailing by two, the Guardians rallied for three runs in the ninth inning, earning a 6-5 win and a 2-1 advantage in the best-of-five series.

The Guardians walked it off on Saturday night thanks to five singles in the ninth.

Trailing by one with two outs and the bases loaded, Oscar Gonzalez played the hero while facing his final strike. Gonzalez reached out, poking an outside slider up the middle to plate the tying and winning runs, sending Progressive Field into a frenzy.

PUT THE BALL IN PLAY.#ForTheLand | #GuardiWWins pic.twitter.com/cnRd0bFxHS
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) October 16, 2022

The Guardians struck first on Saturday night, gaining an early 2-0 lead thanks to RBI singles from Josh Naylor and Steven Kwan over the first and second innings.

The Yankees evened things up in the top of the third when Aaron Judge, who was 0-for-8 in the ALDS entering the day, blasted a two-run home run to tie the game 2-2.

Brand new ballgame ‍⚖️ pic.twitter.com/Kd3NoEjVqp
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) October 16, 2022

An inning later, Oswaldo Cabrera hit a two-run homer of his own, giving the Yankees their first lead of the game at 4-2.

Cabrera CRUSH pic.twitter.com/NlmUTFuqcW
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) October 16, 2022

In the seventh, after Cleveland had cut the deficit to 4-3, Harrison Bader smashed New York's third long ball of the day, connecting on a solo shot to centerfield to put the Yankees up 5-3.

Bader Tater pic.twitter.com/C9em8cGQjD
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) October 16, 2022

Cleveland's bullpen shut the door after Bader's home run, as Enyel De Los Santos and Eli Morgan combined to set the Yankees down in order through the next two innings, setting the stage for Cleveland's huge ninth inning.

The Guardians will look to close out the ALDS and advance to the American League Championship Series when they host the Yankees for Game 4 on Sunday at 7:07 p.m.

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