The New York Yankees are one win away from the elusive World Series after holding off the resilient Cleveland Guardians in Game 4 of the ALCS. CNN

The New York Yankees are just one win away from reaching the franchise's first World Series since 2009.

The Yanks held off a resilient Cleveland Guardians team to secure a thrilling 8-6 win in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Friday night.

Led by Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton, the Yankees avoided heartbreak for the second straight night to take a 3-1 series lead.

Parent All-Star closer Emmanuel Claes again stung the Yankees' offense, as he allowed two runs in the ninth inning of the loss. In Game 3, Claes gave up back-to-back home runs but the Guardians were saved by clutch late-game hits.

Teams leading 3-1 best-of-seven postseason series have won the series 93 times, including 37 of 45 times in the LCS.

“I want a ring, I want a ring,” Stanton said after the game. “Anything I can do to help us win. One step at a time, so it was a good step. We have a lot more work to do.”

“It was a big time to throw the first punch, no lead safe but it was good to get the first punch, great fight back and forth and able to keep it going.”

The Yankees came out swinging after an extra innings loss in Game 3. Gleyber Torres set the tone with a leadoff single in the first inning. Moments later, Soto crushed a two-run home run to center field, giving New York a 2-0 start.

Cleveland responded quickly, cutting the lead in half with an RBI sacrifice fly from Jose Ramirez in the bottom of the first. But New York's offense continues to roll. Yankees catcher Austin Wells hit a solo home run over 400 feet to center field in the third inning to make it 3-1.

The Guardians made it a one-run game in the bottom of the third when Josh Naylor drove in Steven Kwan with a single to left field, trimming the deficit to 3-2. However, there was more to the Yankees' dangerous middle-of-the-lineup bats.

After Soto walked and Aaron Judge followed with a single, both advanced on Jazz Chisolm Jr.'s sacrifice bunt. That set the stage for Stanton, who once again delivered. He launched a three-run home run to left field—his fourth home run of the postseason—to give the Yankees a 6–2 lead.

Stanton's blast silenced the crowd at Progressive Field as he watched the ball go into the stands, circle the bases and be greeted by his teammates at home plate.

Just when it looked like the Yankees were in control, Cleveland's relentless offense ignited another potential comeback.

In the seventh inning, Brian Rucci drew a walk, and the hot-hitting Kwan followed with a single by Yankees reliever Jake Cousins. With the Guardians threatening, Yankees manager Aaron Boone moved closer to Clay Holmes to try to limit the damage.

Holmes first faced David Frye, who hit a walk-off home run off him in Game 3, and was able to strike him out. However, Jose Ramirez hit an RBI double to make it 6-3. Naylor followed with a two-run single to cut the Yankees' lead to 6-5 and send the Cleveland crowd into a frenzy.

In the eighth inning, with Cleveland down by just one run, Frye tormented the Yankees again. He hit a comebacker to pitcher Mark Leiter Jr., who had trouble securing the ball and failed to get the throw clear to Anthony Rizzo at first base, allowing Bo Naylor to score from third and tie the game 6–6.

Cleveland couldn't find any ninth inning magic after getting back into the game. Yankees pitcher Tommy Kahnle allowed two runners on base but allowed Rocchio to ground out to end the game.

After the game, Cleveland manager Stephen Vog was asked about the team's mindset ahead of a must-win game Saturday.

“We're going to show up and be ready to win. That's who these guys are. When our backs are against the wall, we play our best baseball,” Bhog said confidently.

“We don't give up. This team did not give up. It is not all year long. It doesn't matter how we play – the day before, the days leading up to it – this team is going to show up with the same attitude and the same mentality that we do every day and that's 'we're going to win.'

The Yankees are now one win away from winning their first AL pennant in 15 years. They can close out the best-of-seven series in Game 5 on Saturday night in Cleveland.

After the game, Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton said the team was still focused on the task at hand.

“It doesn't feel like anything until we get it done,” he said. “As far as I am concerned, we have done nothing.

“We'll enjoy it for now but we've got to get it done tomorrow and beyond.”