CLEVELAND, Ohio — Big Christmas delivered the biggest hit of the night for the Guardians on Thursday with Cleveland’s season on the line.
Noel blasted a two-out, two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning off Yankees closer Luke Weaver that tied the score at 5-5 in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series.
Noel, limited to one hit in 17 postseason plate appearances, launched a 1-0 changeup from Weaver 408 feet into the bleachers in left field.
Lane Thomas drilled a two-out double high off the wall in center field to bring Noel to the plate. He was pinch-hitting for Daniel Schneemann, who was 0 for 4 in his first playoff start.
Noel’s home run was the second game-tying blast in the ninth inning or later in franchise postseason history, matching Albert Belle in Game 1 of the 1995 AL Division Series against Boston.
