If you had said during the regular season that a team would intentionally walk Juan Soto to face Aaron Judge with the bases loaded, youd think they were taking crazy pills. Well, the Guardians did just that in their in Game 2 of the ALCS in a stunning development. Manager Stephen Vogt later defended with first base open and load the bases with one out for Judge while trailing, 2-0, in the second inning. Stephen Vogt makes the call to walk Juan Soto. @MLB/YouTube Juan Soto pa sed the baton on to Aaron Judge after he was intentionally walked. Getty Images They were hitting the ball around the ballpark, and we needed to stop the game, Vogt said. In that situation, you want to try to get a double-play ball. You Cleveland Guardians Jersey want to try to get two outs with one pitch. You want to try to find a way to get out of that inning, and Cade (Smith) did a great job doing that. Explore More The hope of running into a double play ball didnt come to fruition, although Judge only hit a sacrifice fly to boost the lead to 3-0 and beleaguered cleanup hitter Austin Wells struck out to end the inning. Smith, a righty, had replaced starter and fellow right-hander Tanner Bibee, whom Vogt allowed to i sue the intentional walk before departing. Aaron Judge delivered a sacrifice fly after Juan Soto was intentionally walked. John Angelillo/UPI/Shutterstock Its po sible that until Judge starts looking like his MVP self, , Soto could continue to be walked in big spots. Judge is hitting just .167 with a .735 OPS this postseason. Follow The Posts coverage of the Yankees in the postseason: Its win or go home, Judge said of Soto being intentionally walked. Every out, every inning is important. Theyre trying to grab a couple outs there with a double play, but we were able to scratch out a run. Soto went 1-for-3 Tuesday, while Judge drove in three runs in a 1-for-3 night. The Yankees have made quick work of the Guardians thus far to grab a 2-0 series lead and send Clarke Schmidt to the mound Thursday with the series shifting to Cleveland for Game 3. Peter Strzelecki Jersey