CLEVELAND, Ohio – With an emphatic fist pump after rounding first base, Franmil Reyes let loose a little frustration.
“I needed that,” Reyes said. “The boys needed that.”
Boy, did they.
Reyes’ RBI single in the 8th inning of the Guardians’ 2-0 win over the New York Yankees in the series finale Sunday at Progressive Field gave his team some much-needed breathing room, but it also gave the slugger a shot in the arm.
“It's a good feeling for myself of, you know, getting this for the team,” Reyes said. “It gives me a little bit more confidence.”
Reyes was responsible for both of his team’s runs on Sunday, belting his sixth home run of the season into the bleachers in left field. But if you ask the slugger which one is more important, he’s quick to answer.
“I think the single to the other way is better because, it was a hanging curveball (Sunday’s home run),” Reyes said. “I was out in front of it. I'm a strong guy it's still going to go out.”
It’s been an agonizing season for Reyes. Marred by a slow start and a stint on the disabled list, to say it’s been a forgettable campaign thus far would be an understatement. After a weekend that saw Reyes go 4-for-12 (.333) he’s finally feeling more comfortable at the plate.
“It’s very frustrating, honestly,” Reyes said of his struggles this year. “That was, for me, (the RBI single) more important than the home run.
The true evidence perhaps came in Game 1 of a split-double header on Saturday, when Reyes took Gerrit Cole into the right field seats at Progressive Field. Manager Terry Francona said it was a good sign to see his power hitter display the opposite field power.
“When I hit the ball to the other way, that's when I'm feeling the best,” Reyes said.
His heroics were much appreciated by his teammates and specifically his manger.
After Reyes gave the Guards a cushion, the American League reliever of the month Emmanuel Clase entered to nail down a potential 19th save.
Clase hasn’t permitted a walk or a hit in 16 consecutive appearances, but immediately walked Anthony Rizzo. Owen Miller dropped a throw by Amed Rosario that would’ve retired Giancarlo Stanton and suddenly things got tight with two on and nobody out.
“When the ball came out of Owen's (Miller) glove I almost started crying,” Francona said. “I mean literally almost started crying.”
Francona knew the opportunity that the Guardians had in front of them. To this point, the Yankees had more errors than hits and one swing of the bat could have spoiled a dazzling start from Tristan McKenzie.
Josh Donaldson flied out to center field and Gleyber Torres struck out looking. But that only set the stage for Aaron Judge to make a pinch-hit appearance.
“It's hard to explain. Like, your stomach's here, (motions to throat) but it's like you kind of live for,” Francona said.
Judge grounded out to Andres Gimenez and Miller secured the throw, this time with two hands to preserve the final out.
“You can't get that anywhere else. Like I wouldn't change it for the world, but I think sometimes I'm not I even like it,” Francona said.
McKenzie was magnificent. Unbothered by the Yankees powerful lineup, or the fact they pummeled Guardians pitchers to the tune of 19 runs over the last two games.
“I don't think any of us came into this game looking at the Yankees as the number one team in baseball. We came out here looking at them as a team we have to beat,” McKenzie said. “I think things kind of didn't swing our way the first the first two games yesterday and we just came out ready to win today.”
The long, lanky right hander affectionately known as “Sticks” didn’t blink, tossing a tidy 7 scoreless innings surrendering just one hit while strike out seven batters.
What Bronx Bombers?
“I think the difference between this outing and kind of my last two outings were just kind of make them feel a little more uncomfortable with the plate. And using all my pitches to both sides,” McKenzie said. “I use my curveball well to kind of slow them down and I think that's just helped keep guys off balance and helped keep my heater useful from the first inning to the last inning.”
New York didn’t so much as have a baserunner until the top of the fourth inning. McKenzie set down 10 straight before issuing a walk to Stanton.
Josh Donaldson immediately followed with a single. Torres hit a one-hopper back to McKenzie who attempted to turn two, but after knocking it down and throwing to second to retire Donaldson, Torres was able to beat the throw.
Some traffic, but no danger. “Sticks” hit Marwin Gonzalez, the no. 9 hitter to start the 6th inning but got Anthony Rizzo to pop out to catcher Sandy Leon and struck out Giancarlo Stanton and Josh Donaldson.
“Then game can definitely swing in a second, especially with a big swinging team like that. But I think at the end of the day, that's not what you have to think about,” McKenzie said. “It's more about going out there and getting outs. If you do give up the big hit or the big run, minimizing from there on out.
And I think I just did a good job of that.”
NOTES -- Gabriel Arias made the start on Sunday at third base as Jose Ramirez was given a day off. Francona sensed that Ramirez was in need of a rest and opted to sit his All-Star third baseman as the club prepares for yet another double-header on Monday in Detroit.