CLEVELAND (AP) — Aaron Judge finally provided the postseason moment in October that makes the Yankees legends.

It became a footnote as New York's bullpen exploded.

Judge's tying, two-out, two-run home run in the eighth inning – followed by Giancarlo Stanton's solo shot – was eclipsed by two lesser-known Cleveland players on Thursday night as the Guardians rallied for a 7-5 victory in Game 3 AL Championship Series.

Rookie Jhonkensy Noel hit a two-out, pinch-hit, two-run home run in the ninth inning against Luke Weaver, and David Fry hit a two-run shot in the tenth inning against Clay Holmes as the Guardians rallied against New York's lights-out recovered bullpen.

“It’s baseball. Things like that happen,” Judge said, standing in a quiet New York clubhouse. “Everyone in this room has confidence in these guys.”

The Yankees became the first team in the postseason to trail by multiple runs in the eighth inning or later and take the lead with consecutive home runs.

Another footnote.

Judge was criticized for his lack of production in the postseason. Since his first playoff appearance in 2017, he has only hit .143 (3-for-21) and .206 (39-for-189) batting average with 14 home runs and 29 RBIs, along with 72 strikeouts, in these playoffs.

He hit a home run toward Monument Park in Game 2 that Yankee fans hoped would be followed by more deep drives. He struck out twice in Game 3 before the eighth, when he caught a 1-2 pitch from All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase.

Judge drove the right-hander's 99 mph mower in the opposite direction to right field. When he hit it, Judge didn't think there was a chance it would leave the park and hit his 15th career postseason home run, tying him with Babe Ruth for fourth in club history.

“I was just trying to hit a little single to right with Stanton behind me,” Judge said. “Right away I thought it was getting out of hand. My first thought was to just get to second base.”

From his vantage point in the on-deck circle, Stanton marveled at Judge's ability to hit Clase's throw so far.

“He (Clase) is a generational talent,” Stanton said. “It wasn’t a bad pitch. The black numbers were low, but he does what he does.”

While the Yankees were still celebrating with Judge in the dugout, Stanton followed with his blast to center field and suddenly New York had a 4-3 lead – and just six outs away from a commanding 3-0 series lead.

“That's how you celebrate big moments all the time,” said Yankees manager Aaron Boone, who hit one of New York's most memorable postseason home runs to win the 2003 ALCS. “I threw a pump with my right fist like I was fired up. You can definitely feel the energy of some shots like that.”

But for the first time this postseason, New York's trusty bullpen didn't come through.

The Yankees' relievers finished with a 0.77 ERA and 23 strikeouts ahead of Weaver and Holmes, who set a franchise record with 13 blown saves and lost the closer's job late in the regular season.

Fry's home runs were the first runs Holmes allowed in 13 career postseason appearances.

“I really felt like I let the team down and myself down,” Weaver said. “It hurts even more knowing how close we were to being 3-0 up. It feels a little devastating, but they deserve it. They certainly deserve this win tonight.”

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