The Yankees blow the lead but recover to take a 3-1 lead over Cleveland in the ALCS

The New York Yankees can breathe a sigh of relief, at least for now.

After blowing a four-run lead on Friday night, the Yankees battled the game's best closer to an 8-6 victory over the Cleveland Guardians and take a 3-1 lead in the American League Championship Series.

The game seemed all but over when Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton continued his October dominance with a three-run home run in the sixth inning to give the Bronx Bombers a 6-2 lead.

However, it was anything but over.

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New York Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres (25) runs after hitting an RBI single in the ninth inning against the Cleveland Guardians in Game 4 of the ALCS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Progressive Field. (David Dermer-Imagn Images)

The Guardians sent runners to the corners in the seventh without anyone out, prompting Aaron Boone to face Clay Holmes just over 24 hours after he allowed the walk-off home run in Game 3. Things didn't go well at three either, with runs coming thanks to back-to-back doubles from Jose Ramirez and Josh Naylor.

Mark Leiter Jr. came in and cleaned up the mess, but in the eighth, Game 3 hero David Fry equalized with a slow dribble that neither Leiter nor Anthony Rizzo could handle.

With no safe situation for Cleveland, they brought in Emmanuel Clase, whose postseason struggles continued. The Yankees put runners on second and third to start the inning, and Alex Verdugo and Gleyber Torres each delivered an RBI single.

Clase now has eight earned runs this postseason after allowing just five in the entire regular season.

Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees reacts after hitting a three-run home run in the sixth inning against the Cleveland Guardians in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series at Progressive Field on October 18, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

GUARDIANS CLOSER EMMANUEL CLASE PRESENTS AWARDS IMMEDIATELY AFTER MAKING A SAVE FOR THE YANKEES IN ALCS

Tommy Khanle came in for the save, but drew a walk and a bloop single with a walk to seal the winning run. However, he retired the next two batters for the save.

The Yankees started with a loud bang early as Juan Soto hit a two-run home run before an out was even recorded. The Guardians scored in the bottom half of the inning, but Austin Wells delivered a solo shot in the second half.

The Yankees are now just one win away from clinching their first pennant since 2009 – the Guardians need the next three wins, including two in the Bronx, to advance.

Anthony Volpe #11 of the New York Yankees reacts as he crosses home plate to score a run in the ninth inning against the Cleveland Guardians in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series at Progressive Field on October 18, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio . (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

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Game 5 is Saturday night at 8:08 p.m. in Cleveland. Carlos Rodon will try to send the Yankees to the World Series, while Tanner Bibee will try to send the Guardians back to New York.

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