On a night where longtime radio broadcaster John Sterling was honored, the Yankees and Guardians put together a truly repugnant game from which any self-respecting commentator would flee. The Yankees blinked first in an unpleasant 12-inning slog which contained more oddities and blunders than are worth recounting. Luis Gil exited the game in the fourth inning with an injury after three erratic and ineffective innings.
While the Yankee bullpen performed well in his stead, Aaron Boone had to use all of his relievers (yes, all of them ) to keep pace with Cleveland, who finally tore down the castle walls in the 12th to win 9-3. If you can remember that far back, the Bombers actually got off to a great start in their first look at Matthew Boyd since 2019. Juan Soto broke out of his weekend funk and smacked a short-porch special for his 35th home run and a 1-0 lead.
Soto Solo Shot pic.twitter.com/f0YRZkLuSZ The next man up, of course, was Aaron Judge, and he followed suit with a drive into those right field stands for his 45th round-tripper.
Soto and Judge have now gone back-to-back five times this year. All was good, for a little while. Back-to-Back, Belly-to-Belly! #AllRise pic.
twitter.com/ZvSSF6Z6c1 Gil’s struggles truly began in the second. He allowed a leadoff double to Jhonkensy Noel, followed by a walk and a fielder’s choice which advanced Noel to third.
The next batter, Bo Naylor, grounded a ball toward first base. DJ LeMahieu fielded the ball, briefly hesitated, then t.