Acce s the Yankees beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees. CLEVELAND The last time the Yankees were here before Monday, they were clinching the American League pennant on the back of an epic home run from Juan Soto. Of course, Soto was nowhere to be found in the rematch Monday, nor were the high stakes of the ALCS. The Yankees did try to add some late drama to this one, nearly coming all the way back from a six-run deficit before falling to the Guardians 6-4 at Progre sive Field. Coming off a win filled with drama and a dash of controversy on Sunday against the Rays, the Yankees (14-9) kept things fairly simple on Monday by getting beat straight up. Clarke Schmidt reacts during the Yankees lo s to the Guardians on April 21. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Jose Ramirez (r.) reacts after hitting a home run during the Guardians win against the Yankees on April 21. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Austin Voth Jersey Clarke Schmidt got knocked around in his second start of the season, giving up five runs on seven hits and three walks acro s four innings while striking out seven. The right-hander, who after a delayed start to the season because of a shoulder i sue in camp, was not as sharp on Monday. Obviously its game situations and were out there trying to win ballgames, but Im also trying to refine myself and sharpen up and just get better each time I go out there, said Schmidt, who built up to 80 pitches. I felt healthy. Thought the stuff was really good, velocity was good. Got a lot of swing and mi s, a lot of strikeouts. Thats obviously a positive, but the walks are frustrating. Explore More Most of the damage came on back-to-back pitches in the third inning, when he gave up a three-run homer to Jos Ramrez and a solo shot to Kyle Manzardo, putting the Yankees in a 4-0 hole. Schmidt said the down-and-in sweeper to Ramrez was about where he wanted it, but tipped his cap to the Guardians star for punishing it. Just struggled a little bit with having that next level of command where hes putting it where he wants it, manager Aaron Boone said. Ja son Dominguez reacts after homering during the Yankees lo s to the Guardians on April 21. AP The Guardians tacked on a run in the fourth on an RBI single from Brayan Rocchio, who hit a chopper to second base that Jazz Chisholm Jr. did not make an attempt on because he saw a shattered bat also flying in his direction. I want to make every play out there for my guy, but at the same time, you dont want to die, said Chisholm, who got hit in the calf with a broken bat when he was playing shortstop in High-A. You got a sharp object coming your way. Ive seen guys get stabbed with broken bats in person, so I know how bad the injury can be. Schmidt went on to load the bases before retiring Ramrez and Manzardo to finish his outing on a high note and keep the game from blowing open. Go beyond the box score with the Bombers Sign up for Inside the Yankees by Greg Joyce, exclusively on Sports+. Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! It was 6-0 in the seventh inning when Ja son Domnguez clobbered a 445-foot, two-run blast off Gavin Williams, who had otherwise been dominant with his big fastball that averaged 97 mph. Chisholm then crushed a two-run shot of his own in the eighth inning off former Mets reliever Paul Sewald to make it 6-4. In the proce s, Chisholm tied Aaron Judge for the team lead with seven home runs. Austin Wells and Judge then came to the plate as the potential tying run in the ninth inning, but Cade Smith filling in for Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase, who had pitched on three straight days struck out both of them to nail down the save. [Domnguezs home run] gave us a little bit of life and obviously Jazz hits one and we give ourselves a chance there in the end, Boone said. Like the way the guys hung in there and hung with it. Just couldnt finish it off tonight. Austin Kitchen Jersey