CLEVELAND, OH - Put it in the record books, Emmanuel Clase is the best closer in Cleveland Guardians history. The right-handed flamethrowing closer notched the franchise's all-time save record on Friday night with his 150th save with the Guardians in 286 games. Cody Allen previously held the record of 149 saves in 456 games for Cleveland.
The save also was his 40th of the 2024 season, his third straight season with 40 or more saves. Clase is the first Guardians pitcher to ever accomplish the feat, and first in the MLB since Craig Kimbrel did so with the Atlanta Braves in four straight seasons from 2011-14.
For Guardians manager Stephen Vogt, there just aren't many words to describe just how special his closer is.
“What he's done in a short spurt here is truly special,” Vogt said of Clase. “I was only here for five months of [his time in Cleveland]. You guys have been watching it for the last few years, but it's just remarkable. To see, one of the best hitters of our generation [Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen] take him deep the other way, and then just settle right back in and get the save."
"He doesn't get rattled, doesn't get shaken," Vogt continued. "He comes in, pounds his strike zone with really good stuff. I couldn't be more happy for him and his family tonight. Tonight was about Emmanuel and there's a lot that happened in this game, but tonight was Emmanuel's night.”
Clase allowed a home run to lead-off the 9th inning to Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen, which was his fifth run allowed all season bringing his ERA up to 0.71 for the season. The lowest single-season ERA for a pitcher is Robert Keyes’ 0.64 ERA in 1944, according to Baseball Reference.
Nobody put it better than Guardians second baseman Andres Gimenez when he sees Clase coming out for the 9th inning: “I feel like I'm gonna go home early.”
Don't call it a comeback
For the second consecutive game, the Guardians offense stepped up and showed out in abundance on Friday night, not just scoring two runs in the 1st inning, but also amassing a four-run 5th inning in response to the Pirates six-run inning in the 5th.
Guardians first baseman Josh Naylor had a massive part in both scoring bursts, with a two-run RBI double in the 1st and an RBI single in the 5th inning. He had four RBI total in the game, as well as is 6-10 at the plate in his last two games with six RBI.
Also in the 5th inning, the crowd of 32,132 at Progressive Field erupted at the back-to-back home runs from Gimenez and Guardians power-hitting wunderkind Jhonkensy Noel. Noel's home run went an astronomical 450 feet, just one foot shy of the longest this season (Jose Ramirez, 451-foot home run against the Tigers on July 29th).
For the Guardians, the offense has been inconsistent over the past couple of months, with the team's run production down to 3.9 runs per game in the second half of the season from 4.8 runs in the first half. Games like the last two are the kind of wins and successes at the plate that could give the offense that extra boost down the stretch.
What's up, Doc?
Naylor left the game in the 8th inning with a left ankle bruise after recording a single. He appeared to twist his ankle awkwardly and he will be reevaluated tomorrow. The positive sign was that Naylor already told Vogt after the game that he wants to play tomorrow's game against the Pirates.
Another injured Guardian is expected to make his return to the mound this Sunday, as Guardians starting pitcher Alex Cobb (1-1, 4.35) is expected to get the start. Cobb has been on the injured list since August 19th with a fractured nail. He should give the rotation a much needed boost after having a bullpen game and start by Logan Allen in Monday's doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals.
What's Next?
Guardians veteran left-hander Matthew Boyd (1-0, 2.70) will get the start for Cleveland on Saturday. Taking the mound for the Pirates will be right-hander Luis Ortiz (5-4, 3.36). The first 12,500 fans will be able to enjoy an Andres Gimenez giveaway jersey. First pitch from Progressive Field between the Guardians and Pirates comes at 6:10 PM.