Jose Ramirez added a run-scoring base hit off Michael Tonkin later in the inning and Cleveland began to pour it on.
There were plenty of wasted chances by the offense, which went hitless in 13 at-bats with runners in scoring position until Aaron Judge’s two-run double in the 12th.
“It’s been a few games we’ve struggled a little offensively,’’ Boone said. “We’ve got to cash in on opportunities right now.”
They also had Trent Grisham — pinch-running for Giancarlo Stanton — thrown out at home on Austin Wells’ pinch-hit double in the eighth that would have given the Yankees the lead.
![New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone (17) speaks with New York Yankees pitcher Michael Tonkin (50) during the 12th inning when the New York Yankees played the Cleveland Guardians Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, NY.]()
Michael Tonkin could not escape trouble on Tuesday night.
Grisham hesitated at third, not sure if third base coach Luis Rojas was waving him home — before trying to regain his momentum.
Both bullpens thrived for much of the night — especially the Yankees’ pen, which was forced into action when Luis Gil left the game in the fourth with lower-back tightness.
Before he was removed, Gil was in the midst of a second straight subpar outing and allowed three runs in three-plus innings — mostly done in by six walks.
He allowed a run and three baserunners in both the second and third innings.
![Cleveland Guardians Daniel Scheenmann scores on a RBI double by Lane Thomas during the 12th inning when the New York Yankees played the Cleveland Guardians Tuesday, August 20, 2024]()
Daniel Scheenmann scores on a RBI double by Lane Thomas during the 12th inning of the Yankees’ loss to the Guardians on Aug. 20, 2024.
Then in the fourth, Gil gave up a go-ahead homer to Brayan Rocchio, walked Steven Kwan — his sixth of the night — and was removed after throwing one pitch to Jose Ramirez.
Tim Hill entered and retired the next three batters to keep it a one-run game, the first of eight Yankee relievers to be called upon.
It looked early like the Yankees were going to knock around Cleveland left-hander Matthew Boyd, as Juan Soto and Judge gave the Yankees a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first.
![Aaron Judge hits a solo homer in the first inning of the Yankees' loss on Aug. 20, 2024.]()
Aaron Judge hits a solo homer in the first inning of the Yankees’ loss on Aug. 20, 2024.
Soto got it started with a solo shot to right with one out and Judge followed by hitting one out to right-center. It was the fifth time this season the pair has gone back-to-back.
Cleveland came back in the second, sparked by a leadoff double by Jhonkensy Noel and a walk to Andres Gimenez.
After Daniel Schneemann grounded into a forceout that sent Noel to third, Bo Naylor followed with a grounder to first base.
![Luis Gil was forced to exit the Yankees' loss early because of back tightness.]()
Luis Gil was forced to exit the Yankees’ loss early because of back tightness.
DJ LeMahieu hesitated before firing to Jose Trevino at the plate.
Noel was initially called out on the play, but Cleveland challenged the play and it was overturned to cut the Yankee lead to 2-1.
Cleveland tied the game in the third and took the lead in the fourth when Rocchio opened the inning with a home run into the Yankees bullpen in right-center.
![Juan Soto hits a solo homer in the first inning of the Yankees' loss on Aug. 20, 2024.]()
Juan Soto hits a solo homer in the first inning of the Yankees’ loss on Aug. 20, 2024.
The Yankees tied it again in the bottom of the inning on an Anthony Volpe RBI double that knocked in Jose Trevino from first.
Volpe stole third, but LeMahieu and Oswald Peraza whiffed with the infield in and Gleyber Torres grounded out.
![New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto (22) and New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) watch Cleveland Guardians Brayan Rocchio's home run]()
Juan Soto and Aaron Judge watch Guardians Brayan Rocchio’s home run during the Yankees’ loss.
The bullpens matched zeroes through the sixth.
Oswaldo Cabrera pinch hit for Oswald Peraza to lead off the bottom of the seventh and was robbed of a potential extra-base hit by a diving Schneemann in left-center.
