CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Guardians fell in New York to the Yankees, 5-2, in Game 1 of the 2024 American League Championship Series on Monday night.
The Yankees got solo home runs from Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton, and they scored two on wild pitches from Guardians reliever Joey Cantillo.
The Guardians got their offense from a Brayan Rocchio solo home run in the sixth inning and a Steven Kwan RBI single in the eighth. However, they stranded three runners on base in the final two innings, including two in the eighth, against Yankees closer Luke Weaver.
Starter Alex Cobb went just 2.2 innings in the loss, giving up three earned runs on five hits, walking three and striking out three. Carlos Rodon started for the Yankees and pitched six strong innings, allowing just one run on three hits and striking out nine.
Game 2 is on Tuesday night at 7:38 p.m. Eastern.
Here is how social media reacted to the loss.
“Really don’t like Vogt pinching hitting for Fry. I get Brennan has been their best pinch hitter, but Fry has been hitting well. Leaving Alex Cobb in two batters too long after a trainer visit. Then turning to the rookie Cantillo… IMO that’s 3 bad decisions by Vogt tonight,” Fox 8′s John Sabol posted.
“Total giveaway game. We’ve beaten Skubal so obviously we can beat Cole. Don’t love Stanton coming alive, changes their whole lineup. Could really use a Jose and Josh Naylor game,” Anthony Lima of 92.3 The Fan posted.
“At the end of the day, the Guardians duo of Jose Ramirez and Josh Naylor has to rev up. You’re not winning the pennant without those two. One thing: ask Met fans how they felt after game 1 of their series. It’s a 7-game marathon now. Tomorrow: Gerrit Cole vs. Tanner Bibee,” Fox college basketball announcer John Fanta posted.
“The Yankees prove tonight that standing still in the box as balls bounce around your feet and sail over your head is a winning baseball strategy,” MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince posted.
“Had to pull Cobb but I’m not sure bringing a guy that has never pitched in the postseason into a bases loaded situation was the best idea,” Danny Cunningham of 92.3 The Fan and the Locked on Cavaliers podcast posted.
“Might not be popular, but Josh Naylor is on my last nerve,” BigPlay’s Mike Bormann posted.
“The Guardians struck out 14 times, scored just twice, and still would’ve been in Game 1 if not for the disastrous 3rd inning. This series is not unobtainable for Cleveland,” Jon Doss of WEWS-TV posted.
“Likely a moot point, but it felt like Vogt didn’t need to burn the whole bench and put the Guardians in a spot where Austin Hedges is getting two at bats late,” Aram Leighton of the Just Baseball Show posted.
“Rocchio and Kwan the best baseball players of all time? some are saying,” Jordan Zirm of the Sporting News posted.
“If you’re the Guardians, you take solace in the fact your big bullpen arms got a breather and that 60% of the damage tonight was self-inflicted,” MLB editorial producer Casey Drottar posted.
“I cant recall off the top of my head seeing a player go through a tough rookie year the way Rocchio did and then become such a reliable player in the playoffs like this. But in order to win in the playoffs, you need guys to flip the script like this sometimes,” Justin Lada of the Locked on Guardians podcast posted.
