The New York Yankees made history on Thursday night as they defeated the Kansas City Royals 3-1 in Game 4 of the ALDS, securing their 19th trip to the ALCS and extending their MLB record for most appearances.
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NEW JERSEY: New York Yankees Conquer Royals, Advance to ALCS
The Yankees wasted no time in taking the lead in Game 4, with Gleyber Torres doubling on the first pitch of the game and Juan Soto driving him in with an RBI single. Gerrit Cole, the Yankees' ace, delivered a dominant performance, pitching seven innings while allowing only one earned run and striking out four.
The Yankees extended their lead in the fifth inning when Torres singled to score Alex Verdugo, and Giancarlo Stanton added another RBI single to score Aaron Judge. The Royals managed to get on the board in the sixth inning with an RBI double by Vinnie Pasquantino, but a crucial catch by Soto in right field ended their hopes of tying the game.
NEW JERSEY: New York Yankees Conquer Royals, Advance to ALCS
The game took a tense turn in the sixth inning when tempers flared after Maikel Garcia took issue with a high tag by Anthony Volpe at second base. Jazz Chisholm Jr. defended Volpe, leading to a benches-clearing incident that was quickly diffused.
Despite the Royals' brief surge, the Yankees held on to their lead, with Clay Holmes pitching a quick eighth inning and Luke Weaver closing it out in the ninth.
NEW JERSEY: New York Yankees Conquer Royals, Advance to ALCS
With this victory, the Yankees become the first AL team to clinch their spot in the ALCS, while the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers will face off in Game 5 to determine their opponent.
The Yankees will have some time to rest and prepare for the ALCS, which begins on Monday at Yankee Stadium. Their historic 19th appearance in the ALCS is a testament to their consistent success and the legacy they have built in baseball.
* Torres went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, while Soto and Stanton each contributed one RBI.
* Cole's impressive start included 87 pitches, six hits, and three walks.
* The Yankees have now won four consecutive ALDS series and are aiming for their third World Series title in the past five years.
* The Royals, despite their valiant effort, saw their season come to an end with a commendable showing in the playoffs.
* The ALCS matchup will pit the Yankees against either the Guardians or the Tigers, setting up an exciting battle for a berth in the World Series.
