The Yankees needed extra innings to break a deadlock, but Cody Bellinger delivered when it mattered most. His two-run single in the 10th inning lifted New York to a 7-5 victory over Cleveland at Progressive Field, capping a back-and-forth contest that saw the lead change hands multiple times.
Paul Goldschmidt powered the Yankees' early offense with a two-run homer in the first inning, finishing 1-for-4 with three RBI. The veteran first baseman now has eight home runs and 27 RBI this season while carrying a .274 average. Bellinger contributed two hits and two RBI, while Ben Rice reached base four times with two hits and two walks.
The decisive moment came in the 10th when Bellinger singled to left, scoring Rice and Sánchez to break a 5-5 tie. The Yankees had built early leads through Goldschmidt's first-inning blast and Ryan McMahon's solo homer in the fifth, but Cleveland answered each time. Angel Martínez's two-run homer in the sixth gave the Guardians a 5-4 advantage before Goldschmidt's fielder's choice in the eighth tied the game at 5-5.
David Bednar earned the win for New York, allowing no runs over 1.2 innings with three strikeouts. The reliever improved to 2-3 with a 3.90 ERA. Shawn Armstrong suffered his first loss of the season for Cleveland, surrendering two runs in one inning of work in the 10th. Gavin Williams started for the Guardians and allowed four runs over five innings.
The victory snapped a losing streak for New York, improving their record to 38-26. Cleveland fell to 37-30 despite maintaining first place in their division. Ryan McMahon sits nine RBI away from 500 career RBI after his solo homer extended his season totals to seven home runs and 21 RBI.