Tag Archives: Emmanuel Clase

Guardians defeat Rays 2-1

Posted on by
Advertisements

The Cleveland Guardians defeated the Tampa Bay Rays by a score of 2-1 in the first game of the American League Wild Card Series.

Well, the Guardiac Kids did it again. Finding themselves down 1-0 after Jose Siri hit a solo home run off of Shane Bieber to give Tampa the lead, the Guardians needed to conjure up some magic. Rays pitcher Shane McClanahan held Cleveland scoreless for five innings, but a sixth was not in the cards. Amed Rosario would reach on a one-out single to set up such a predictable moment. Jose Ramirez turned around the third pitch of his at-bat and sent it over the wall to give Cleveland a 2-1 lead they would hold on to for the remainder of the game.

This series of events was building throughout the game. Time after time the Guardians would get runners on base and not be able to score. It simply felt that their time would come, all they needed to do was be patient and take advantage when it presented itself.

Everything would fall into place with the Guardians now leading and Bieber still on the mound. The former Cy Young Award winner would strike out eight in 7.2 innings with one run allowed on three hits and a walk before handing the ball over to Emmanuel Clase in the 8th. Terry Francona opted for his closer in a four out situation as the above mentioned Siri was up with a man and this was not the time to take away chances. Siri has been hitting Bieber hard lately and it is best not to tempt fate more than anyone should.

The Guardians closer would get the four outs he was tasked with, giving Cleveland their first postseason win since 2017.

Looking ahead

Cleveland will not be limited when it comes to pitching options. Bieber going 7.2 innings combined with Clase’s four out save has preserved the bullpen and put the Guardians in a comfortable spot pitching wise. It is a much better feeling knowing that relief options are plentiful rather than limited.

It will be Triston McKenzie taking the mound in Game 2 against Tyler Glasnow as Cleveland looks for their first series win since 2016.

Guardians: Kwan, Clase win monthly awards

Posted on by
Advertisements

Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan and closer Emmanuel Clase each came away with a monthly award.

Anyone who has paid attention to the Cleveland Guardians has recognized that Steven Kwan and Emmanuel Clase have been outstanding this season. Their performances have resulted in each of these players winning American League awards for the month of September.

Kwan was named the AL Rookie of the Month, slashing .325/.396./.450 with 21 runs scored, 14 RBI, three home runs, two doubles, and two triples in 28 games. The Guardians rookie outfielder also walked 13 times and stole seven bases.

Clase earned AL Reliever of the Month honors for September. The Guardians closer finished 12 games and saving 10, including his 40th of the season, Clase struck out 16 of the 64 batters faced in 17 games (16 innings).

It appears that the Guardians are having two key players peaking at just the right time. The postseason begins Friday and this is the type of momentum they need to continue for an extended run. Kwan and Clase are just two of many players that Cleveland will count in the playoffs. Things appear to be falling into place at the right time for the American League Central Champions.

Emmanuel Clase notches 40th save

Posted on by
Advertisements

The Cleveland Guardians closer’s late game dominance continued Friday night.

Emmanuel Clase record his 40th save of the season in the Guardians 6-3 win over Kansas City Friday night. The Cleveland reliever has appeared in a career-high 75 games this season and the save total is also a career-high.

The last time a Cleveland reliever registered 40 or more saves in a season was Joe Borowski all the way back in 2007. It is hard to believe that during the impressive run in the 2010’s that Cody Allen was not able to eclipse 40 saves. Allen’s high was 34 in 2015 and that number steadily decreased during his tenure with the club.

It is quite the story for Emmanuel Clase considering he came to Cleveland in the deal that sent Corey Kluber to Texas, a rather unpopular move at the time. Before Clase even threw a pitch for Cleveland he suffered an injury in spring training prior to the delayed 2020 season. Prior to the shortened season starting later that year Clase tested positive for a banned substance and was suspended for 80 games, encompassing all of the 2020 season and lasting into 2021. The fact Clase was able to become the elite closing option he has is quite impressive with the rollercoaster start to his career in Cleveland.

Guarding The Corner Ep. 15 – Grover Cleveland Season

Posted on by
Advertisements

Guarding The Corner Epsiode 15 – Grover Cleveland Season: Discussing the Cleveland Guardians series with the Twins, Red Sox, and Twins again.

Guarding The Corner Ep. 15 – Grover Cleveland Season by This Is Believeland

Guardians outlast Twins in extras

Posted on by
Advertisements

The Cleveland Guardians began their three-game set with the Minnesota Twins Tuesday, coming away with a 6-5 victory in extra-innings.

It was a more than welcome return for both Franmil Reyes and Aaron Civale. The Guardians activated both earlier in the day with Civale slated to start while Reyes batted sixth in the lineup. In his first start in about a month Civale delivered by allowing just two runs in 5 innings while striking out seven and walking one. This was one of the better starts for Civale this season as he has largely struggled. Meanwhile it was Reyes who came through for Cleveland in the top of the 8th with a game-tying two-run homer.

With the game tied the Guardians headed to extras with a chance to take the first game in Minnesota. After a scoreless 10th it was Andres Gimenez who pulled through in the 11th to give Cleveland the lead.

The one run advantage was all the Guardians needed as Emmanuel Clase came in for the bottom of the inning and shut the door on just six pitches.

Where things stand

Currently Cleveland and Minnesota are technically tied forfirst place in the American League Central but the Guardians hold the edge winning percentage wise (.556-.551) due to games played. Cleveland can take sole possession of first place with a win on Wednesday. The Guardians will start the surging Triston McKenzie while Minnesota will send overdue for regression Sonny Gray to the mound.

Guarding the Corner Ep. 14 – More Than Cromulent

Posted on by
Advertisements

Guarding The Corner Episode 14 – More Than Cromulent: James and Bryan discuss the Cleveland Guardians winning ways, their series with the Twins, and trivia.

Guarding The Corner Ep. 14 – More Than Cromulent by This Is Believeland

Guardians take down Dodgers in L.A.

Posted on by
Advertisements

The Cleveland Guardians took two of three games from the Dodgers in Los Angeles as their hot streak continues. It was a narrow 2-1 victory Friday night which seemingly put Cleveland in a very comfortable spot to take the series. It was later learned that Jose Ramirez was dealing with a thumb injury and would miss the final two games of the series. Predictably it was a Dodger bounce back Saturday, handing Cleveland a 7-1 loss. This game always felt like an automatic loss considering the team was unveiling Sandy Koufax’ statue that day. Add in the surrender lineup that started that game and it was all just a formality. All of this set the scene for Sunday.

Even without Ramirez and losing the second game in unspectacular fashion, the Guardians still had a chance to take down the Dodgers. Both teams traded runs like heavyweight fighters in a prize fight. Just when it felt like one team was going to create separation the other answered when given the opportunity. As the game progressed one thing became abundantly clear, it is going to come down who blinks first.

Luckily for Cleveland, Los Angeles blinked.

Opting to go with Craig Kimbrel in a 3-3 game in the ninth, the Dodgers committed the cardinal sin of pitching a closer in a non-save situation. This decision would come back to bit them as predictably Kimbrel did not have his best outing. Josh Naylor would follow Oscar Gonzalez’ one out walk with a double. Steven Kwan was issued an intentional walk which set the stage for Andres Gimenez. Gimenez would line a bases loaded single to drive in Gonzalez and give the Guardians a one run lead. Ernie Clement would follow with a sacrifice fly that allowed Naylor to score making it 5-3. This series events set up Emmanuel Clase well in the bottom half of the inning. Clase would face just three batters as he shut the door to secure the win.

What’s next?

This was the sixth straight series win for Cleveland as the team continues to build confidence. Before this run the Guardians were yet to win consecutive series this season. Being able to stack series wins on top of each other in this manner builds confidence and shows that this team is no pushover. Cleveland has won eight of their last 10 games and is 16-5 over the previous 21 which predates their series winning streak.

The Guardians find themselves one game behind of the Minnesota Twins at 34-28. Worth mentioning is that Minnesota has played six more games than Cleveland with two more losses than the Guardians. After an off day Monday it will be a three-game series with the division leading Twins which could see the American League Central have a new leader when all is said and done.

Guardians complete sweep of Rockies

Posted on by
Advertisements

It was a successful trip to the Mile High City as the Cleveland Guardians completed a three-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies. After needing extra-innings to win the first game, nine innings was all that was needed for the next two.

Cleveland outscored Colorado 15-10 with both teams tallying 31 hits each. The Guardians were 6-33 with runners in scoring position while the Rockies were 5-30. Cleveland’s 12 extra-base hits slightly edged out Colorado’s eight.

American League MVP frontrunner Jose Ramirez was up to his usual act in the series. Ramirez went 7-13 with three doubles, three RBI, two stolen bases, and one walk. Amed Rosario also contributed with six hits in 13 at-bats including a double, triple, and a homer with one stolen base.

Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase was able to register three saves as each game ended in a double-play. Clase now has 14 saves on the year, ranking sixth in all of baseball and six behind saves leader Taylor Rogers.

The sweep gives the Guardians their fourth straight win as they are now just two games back of the Twins for the division lead. Cleveland has been able to creep back into the mix thanks to stacking series wins on top of each other. This was the fifth straight series won by the Guardians, prior to that they were yet to win consecutive series this season. Their series win streak will be on the line beginning Friday night as they begin a tough match with the Dodgers. Even though the Dodgers are clearly the superior squadron, Cleveland may be catching them at just the right time. Los Angeles has lost six of their last 10 games while Cleveland has won 14 of their previous 18.

Ramirez, Gimenez homer in Guardians win

Posted on by
Advertisements

After a disappointing series in Detroit, the Cleveland Guardians came home to take on the lowly Kansas City Royals. Facing this opponent at home was what the Guardians needed as they came away with a 7-3 win.

Home runs from Jose Ramirez and Andres Gimenez drove in five of Cleveland’s seven runs. Ramirez hit a two-run homer in the 3rd to break a 1-1 tie. Gimenez broke a 3-3 tie in the 5th with a three-run shot.

Zach Plesac was the Guardians starting pitcher and had a bounce back performance on the mound. Plesac allowed one run on hits and a walk while striking out five in 6 innings. This is the polar opposite of his last outing which saw Plesac surrender seven runs on nine hits in just 4.2 innings.

Eli Morgan, Trevor Stephan, Nick Sandlin, and Emmanuel Clase. Morgan and Clase were spectacular as they combined for four strikeouts while the latter allowed one hit. Stephan failed to record an out while allowing two runs on three hits. Sandlin did not allow a hit or run, but walked three batters.

Other Guardians of note

Oscar Gonzalez keeps chugging along with another 2-4 day. Gonzalez is currently hitting .438 in four games this season.

Steven Kwan was 1-3 with his second triple of the season. Kwan’s steal of second in the 2nd was his second stolen base of the year.

What’s next?

The series at home continues as the Guardians look to secure a win before the final game of the series. Cleveland’s starter is Cal Quantrill while Kansas City will start Daniel Lynch.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 P.M.

Guardians come out on top in Houston, win 6-1

Posted on by
Advertisements

Getting a win against the Astros is not easy, especially if the game is in Houston. That is just what the Guardians did Monday night. Cleveland came into Minute Maid Park and handed the AL West leaders a 6-1 loss.

Propelling the Guardians offense was none other than Jose Ramirez. With Cleveland clinging to a 2-0 lead, it was Ramirez who doubled that with a two-run shot in the 5th. The perennial MVP candidate would finish the game 2-5 with four RBI.

Triston McKenzie was dominant on the mound, allowing just three hits while walking one over 7 innings with one run coming across to score. Nick Sandlin, Sam Hentges, and Emmanuel Clase would handle the final two frames.

This was a much needed win for the Guardina as they are coming off a 1-3 stretch against two of the worst teams in baseball (Reds, Tigers). While a series win should not be the expectation against Houston, winning one and being competitive in the other two is a realistic outcome. So far so good as one game has already gone to Cleveland’s way.

Game 2 will take place at 8:10 P.M. with Zach Plesac and Framber Valdez starting for each side.