Guardians beat Yankees with 12 innings. 2024’s longest-running game

Invigorated by a six-run 12thinning The Cleveland Guardians outlasted the New York Yankees 9-5 on Tuesday night in the longest game in major league play this season. It was a game that had the appearance and feel of a possible American League playoff preview.

Aug 21, 2024, 12:25 AM ET

NEW YORK – The pinch hitter Lane Thomas delivered an important double that triggered an inning that was six runs long as Cleveland Guardians Cleveland Guardians outlasted the New York Yankees 9-5 on Tuesday night in the longest game in major league play this season.

Both teams entered the evening with a lead and the tense first game of their three-game set at Yankee Stadium had the feel of a possible playoff preview.

“What an unbelievable game by both teams,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt declared. “Someone had to outlast the other, and fortunately, it was us.”

Juan Soto and Aaron Judge hit two consecutive homers in the opening however Cleveland was back in the game and the score was three-way after four innings. Despite many chances from both sides however, neither team could score in the 11th.

Thomas was batting .113 (6-for-53) during 16 contests for the Guardians when he batted with Bo Naylor at the start of the 12th. He put a 2-2 sinker by left-handed Tim Mayza (0-2) into right field to score automatic runner Daniel Schneemann from the second.

“It was huge for him, obviously, it was a huge hit for us,” Vogt told reporters. “It was just something that we needed, and for him to come through, I know that’s going to be big for him. And it catapulted that huge inning.”

Jose Ramirez, intentionally walking in the 10th, then hit an RBI single by Michael Tonkin. After a walk to Tyler Freeman, David Fry laced the bases loaded triple, making 8-3.

Guardians first-year Jhonkensy Noel added an RBI infield single while Tonkin was unable to reach first base.

Cleveland closer Emmanuel Clase pitched two innings for the first time in this season, and then ended the game with a strikeout of Alex Verdugo with two out to close the 10th. Tim Herrin (5-0) was helped by a leaping catch made by Schneemann in right field Austin Wells and left two runners on the 10th.

“Where we were at the time, we wanted to stop the game,” Vogt stated of calling Clase.

Scott Barlow allowed Judge’s double-run home run before ending an entire game lasting 4 hours and 5 minutes.

Cleveland was able to draw 14 walks for the first time since Sept. 9 1979. The Guardians were left with 20 strands and hit 7-for-24 when they had players in scoring position after registering six batting players in scoring position, while being swept in three games in Milwaukee this past weekend.

New York used all eight of its relievers following rookie pitcher Luis Gil exited in the fourth inning due to back tightness. The Yankees gave up 14 walks in the second time they have done so since they allowed an all-time record 15 walks at Milwaukee on September. 15in 1993.

Soto And Judge struck consecutively for homers against Matthew Boyd in the first. Anthony Volpe hit a tie-breaking double in the fourth however, the Yankees only scored one run with runners on the scoreboard and were left with 12 on the scoreboard after losing to the Red Sox for the third time over the span of four games.

“Obviously, with their pen, they can roll out a few really good arms,” New York manager Aaron Boone said of the Guardians. “But for us, it’s been a few games now, where we’ve struggled a bit offensively.”

Gil permitted three hits and three runs in three innings. He walked six times and struck out first pitches to only six of 19 hitters on a night when his offense was shaky.

“The offense has been in a really good place for a while,” Boone stated. “But it’s been a few games now where we’ve struggled in those spots. … It’s just a little slow patch, and we’ve got to get it going offensively.”

Associated Press contributed to this report.