Yankees Closer Chokes In Pressure-Packed Situation Vs. Guardians

The New York Yankees were one out away from seizing a commanding 3-0 series lead against the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Championship Series on Thursday night.

But one pitch from Yankees closer Luke Weaver to Jhonkensy Noel ruined it — at least for that moment — for the Bronx Bombers.

Weaver left a changeup over the middle of the plate to Noel and the right-handed slugger absolutely demolished the offering for a two-run home run to level the score at 5-5 in the bottom of the ninth inning at Progressive Field.

Weaver knew immediately that Noel got the better of him as the Yankees hurler didn’t even look to see where the 404-foot homer landed. You can watch Noel’s clutch homer here.

It was set up to be a memorable Yankees win as they erased a two-run deficit in the bottom of the eighth inning. Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton hit back-to-back home runs off Guardians star closer Emmanuel Clase to put the Yankees in front.

But Weaver, who came on in the eighth to get the Yankees out of a jam, couldn’t completely close the door.

And if the Guardians come back to win the series after trailing 2-0, Noel’s moonshot off Weaver will be looked at as the turning point.