Guardians outlast Yankees in 12 innings, 2024’s longest game

NEW YORK — Pinch hitter Lane Thomas delivered a go-ahead double to spark a six-run 12th inning, and the Cleveland Guardians outlasted the New York Yankees 9-5 on Tuesday night in the longest major league game this season.

Both teams began the night in first place, and the tense opener of their three-game series at Yankee Stadium had the feel of a potential playoff preview.

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

Juan Soto and Aaron Judge hit back-to-back homers in the first, but Cleveland came right back and the game was tied at 3 after four innings. Despite numerous chances on both sides, neither offense managed to score again until the 12th.

Thomas was hitting .113 (6-for-53) in 16 games with the Guardians when he batted for Bo Naylor leading off the 12th and lined a 2-2 sinker from left-hander Tim Mayza (0-2) into right field to score automatic runner Daniel Schneemann from second.

“It was huge for him, obviously, it was a huge hit for us,” Vogt said. “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 walked in the 10th, followed with an RBI single off Michael Tonkin. Following a walk to Tyler Freeman, David Fry laced a bases-loaded triple that made it 8-3.

Guardians rookie Jhonkensy Noel added an RBI infield single when Tonkin was slow to cover first base.