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Yankees strike late to top Guardians, push ALCS edge to 3-1

AP photo by Sue Ogrocki / New York Yankees teammates Juan Soto (22) and Aaron Judge celebrate after Soto hit a two-run homer against the host Cleveland Guardians in the first inning of Game 4 of the AL Championship Series on Friday night at Progressive Field.
AP photo by Sue Ogrocki / New York Yankees teammates Juan Soto (22) and Aaron Judge celebrate after Soto hit a two-run homer against the host Cleveland Guardians in the first inning of Game 4 of the AL Championship Series on Friday night at Progressive Field. AP photo by Sue Ogrocki / New York Yankees teammates Juan Soto (22) and Aaron Judge celebrate after Soto hit a two-run homer against the host Cleveland Guardians in the first inning of Game 4 of the AL Championship Series on Friday night at Progressive Field.

By TOM WITHERS / The Associated Press 5 min read

CLEVELAND — One late-night October meltdown was one too many for the New York Yankees.

Again? Fuhgeddaboudit.

The top-seeded Yankees scratched out two runs in the ninth inning off MLB All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase and bounced back from a gut-wrenching loss a day earlier, beating the second-seeded Cleveland Guardians 8-6 on Friday night to take a 3-1 lead in the American League Championship Series.

New York broke a 6-6 tie in the top of the ninth at Progressive Field as shortstop Brayan Rocchio booted Alex Verdugo’s RBI grounder for an error, and Gleyber Torres followed with a run-scoring single for insurance that wouldn’t be needed.

Giancarlo Stanton hit a three-run homer, Juan Soto had a two-run shot in the first inning, and Austin Wells also connected for the Yankees, who can advance to their 41st World Series — but first since 2009 — by winning Game 5 on Saturday night in Cleveland.