The New York Yankees took Game 1 of the American League Championship Series with a 5-2 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Monday at Yankee Stadium.
Juan Soto’s solo home run in the third inning sparked the Yankees’ offense. Reliever Joey Cantillo struggled, allowing two runs on wild pitches, extending New York’s lead to 3-0.
Aaron Judge’s sacrifice fly in the fourth made it 4-0. The Guardians scored on Brayan Rocchio’s solo homer in the sixth and Steven Kwan’s RBI single in the eighth.
Giancarlo Stanton’s solo shot in the seventh secured the Yankees’ three-run win.
Starter Carlos Rodón struck out nine and allowed three hits in six innings. Luke Weaver earned a five-out save, striking out Austin Hedges to end the game.
Weaver became the first pitcher since 2017 to record three saves of more than three outs in a single postseason.
The Yankees lead the series 1-0. Game 2 is Tuesday at Yankee Stadium before the series shifts to Cleveland.
The New York Mets spoiled the Los Angeles Dodgers’ bid for history and a 2-0 NLCS lead with a 7-3 victory in Game 2 on Monday.
Francisco Lindor’s leadoff home run and Mark Vientos’ second-inning grand slam fueled an early 6-0 Mets advantage. The Dodgers’ 33-inning scoreless streak ended with Lindor’s blast.
Vientos’ grand slam, which came after an intentional walk to Lindor, capped a six-run outburst against Dodgers relievers Ryan Brasier and Landon Knack.
“I took it personal,” Vientos said.
The Dodgers broke through in the fifth with Max Muncy’s solo homer off Mets starter Sean Manaea. They added two runs in the sixth on Tommy Edman’s single but stranded the bases loaded.
Manaea earned the win, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits and four walks in five innings. Phil Maton, Ryne Stanek, and Edwin Diaz combined for four shutout innings.
Vientos went 2-for-5 with four RBIs and a run scored. The Dodgers stranded 10 baserunners.
The NLCS shifts to New York for Games 3-5, with the Mets having regained home-field advantage. Game 3 is Wednesday at 8:08 p.m. ET on Fox.