Brett Gardner robs Randy Arozarena of home run with sensational catch (Video)

Brett Gardner prevented Randy Arozarena’s fourth home run of the ALDS with a leaping catch at the wall.

With the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays locked in a tight battle in Game 5 of the ALDS, Brett Gardner made a critical play to save a home run at the wall.

Gerrit Cole’s first pitch to Randy Arozarena in the sixth inning was almost a disaster for the Yankees as the batter smashed the pitch into left field. Home run-bound, the only thing standing in the way of the Rays and a critical run was Gardner.

Gardner rose and made the catch look routine as could be.

This particular home run-saving catch went a lot better than Aaron Judge’s failed attempt earlier in the game. While Judge’s miss resulted in a tie game, if Gardner hadn’t been able to get his glove around the ball, the Rays would have taken a one-run advantage.

Brett Gardner’s catch at the wall kept the Yankees even with the Rays

If you were to bet on anyone hitting a home run in Game 5, you’d be right to pick Arozarena. He hit a home run in each of the first three games of the series. If wasn’t until the Yankees faced elimination in Game 4 that New York finally found a way to keep Arozarena’s bat quiet.

Outside of a fifth-inning home run for Andrew Meadows, Cole pitched well on short rest. He struck out nine batters and allowed only one run.

While the Yankees took the early advantage with a Game 1 victory, their pitching staff let them down in two straight losses as Tampa Bay unleashed a barrage of hits and runs in Games 2 and 3.

New York forced a Game 5 by winning on Thursday, 5-1.

The winner of Friday night’s outing will advance to the ALCS, where the Houston Astros await an opponent.