CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Guardians have now won four straight games since suffering a season-long seven-game losing streak.
Jhonkensy Noel is responsible for breaking a 1-1 tie that lasted nearly four innings. Noel smashed a breaking ball over the middle of the plate 430 feet to the left-field bleachers in the sixth inning.
For Big Christmas, it was the ninth homer of his rookie season and third in his last two games. Noel joins Russell Branyan as the only two Cleveland batters to slug nine homers in their first 32 career games.
“It’s not any type of groove,” Noel said. “I know I’m a good hitter. That’s what I try to do every single game.”
Cleveland has now homered in eight straight games. They improved to an American League-best 57-24 in games that they hit a home run. The Guardians are also 7-1 in games where Noel hits one out of the park.
The Guardians hit three infield singles in the second inning to produce their first run. Brayan Rocchio was the third batter to record an infield hit with an RBI bunt single to score Andres Gimenez.
Matthew Boyd shined in his Guardians debut. Returning from Tommy John surgery and having not pitched in a major league game in 414 days, Boyd gave Cleveland 5.1 innings of outstanding pitching.
Boyd talked about the 414 days between starts after his outing. He called tonight “special” while referencing the hard days in recovery that he wouldn’t wish upon anyone.
“What a night for Matthew Boyd,” manager Stephen Vogt said. “It had to feel so good for him just to take the mound, let alone give an outing like that first time back. I’m just so happy for him and his family.”
Vogt also acknowledged Boyd’s efficiency. He did not allow a walk, and threw 80 pitches, 61 of which were strikes. Boyd fired 19 consecutive strikes in the first and second innings, becoming the first Cleveland pitcher to throw 19-or-more straight strikes since Trevor Bauer (21 straight) in 2019.
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“I’m grateful to be apart of this club,” Boyd said. “I truly feel blessed to be here. Today was awesome, it was a milestone but it’s just the beginning. The goal is much bigger than that. The opportunity that sits here with this team is so special.”
It was Boyd’s first start at Progressive Field since August 22nd, 2020 when he was with the Tigers. 29,090 fans gave him the standing ovation that he deserved while exiting the game.
Emmanuel Clase became the second pitcher in Cleveland history to earn four saves in four consecutive days, joining Jose Mesa who did it in 1995. It was also the first time Clase has pitched in four straight days in his MLB career.
“It goes down to the confidence that we have,” Clase said. “That they know when I tell them I’m ready to pitch that I’m going to be ready to do my best. I told them I was ready, and I’m the type of pitcher that the more I pitch the more comfortable I feel.”
“I don’t know,” Noel joked about what he’d do if he had to face Clase. “Maybe take a walk, no swing.”
Clase is tied with Ryan Helsley for the most saves in baseball with 37. Clase’s recorded a save in 24 consecutive save opportunities.
“He’s just an absolute animal,” Hunter Gaddis said. “If his name is called which it usually is when it comes time to go shut down a team, he’s done that all year.”
With the 2-1 win, the Guardians have won back-to-back series against the Cubs for the first time since winning three-straight series against Chicago from 1997-1999.
The Guardians will look for the series sweep against the Cubs in Wednesday’s finale. Alex Cobb (0-1, 7.71 ERA) is slated to make his second start of the season for Cleveland. Jameson Taillon (8-6, 3.50 ERA) will be on the mound for Chicago.