Cleveland Guardians’ Will Brennan, middle, celebrates with Andrés Giménez (0) after scoring the successful run within the ninth inning of the staff’s baseball recreation towards the Baltimore Orioles, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in Cleveland. Credit score: AP/Sue Ogrocki
Baltimore Orioles proper fielder Anthony Santander catches a fly ball hit by Cleveland Guardians’ Gabriel Arias in the course of the first inning of a baseball recreation Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in Cleveland. Credit score: AP/Sue Ogrocki
Baltimore Orioles’ Anthony Santander gestures from second base after hitting a double towards the Baltimore Orioles in the course of the first inning of a baseball recreation Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in Cleveland. Credit score: AP/Sue Ogrocki
CLEVELAND — Moments earlier than being formally eradicated from the playoffs, the Guardians rallied as if a spot in October was on the road.
In a season of so many setbacks, one other stirring comeback.
David Fry delivered a two-run double with one out within the ninth inning as Cleveland recovered from Emmanuel Clase blowing one other save and rallied to beat the AL-East main Baltimore Orioles 9-8 on Friday evening.
Not lengthy afterward, the Minnesota Twins clinched the AL Central, dethroning the Guardians, who could not defend their title amid a slew of accidents.
“We’ve caught some robust breaks,” mentioned Shane Bieber, who made his first begin since July 9. “We’ve not performed to our potential fairly a bit this season, and we’ve fallen sufferer to fairly just a few accidents. However one factor that’ll be fixed is our capacity to battle and keep collectively.”
After Clase (3-9) allowed the Orioles to take the lead on Aaron Hicks’ two-run, two-out double within the high of the inning, the Guardians bailed their nearer out.
Andrés Giménez, who made two dazzling defensive performs within the eighth and ninth, opened the inning with a double off All-Star reliever Yennier Cano (1-4). One out later, the Orioles deliberately walked Will Brennan to face Fry.
Baltimore Orioles proper fielder Anthony Santander catches a fly ball hit by Cleveland Guardians’ Gabriel Arias in the course of the first inning of a baseball recreation Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in Cleveland. Credit score: AP/Sue Ogrocki
Cleveland’s catcher jumped on Cano’s first pitch, driving it off the wall in left-center to attain Giménez and Brennan because the Guardians spoiled what would have been a memorable comeback by the Orioles.
“That’s one factor I’ve at all times admired about these guys,” Guardians supervisor Terry Francona mentioned. “They may play and there’s one thing to be mentioned for that. It’s not at all times excellent and I want our report was higher, however I nonetheless respect.”
Baltimore’s loss stored it 1 1/2 video games forward of second-place Tampa Bay, which misplaced 6-2 to Toronto.
Anthony Santander had three hits and three RBIs for the Orioles.
Baltimore Orioles’ Anthony Santander gestures from second base after hitting a double towards the Baltimore Orioles in the course of the first inning of a baseball recreation Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in Cleveland. Credit score: AP/Sue Ogrocki
“That’s a tricky loss,” mentioned supervisor Brandon Hyde, who was pressured to go deep into his worn-out bullpen. “We simply didn’t pitch nicely. We hung in there. We acquired a very nice rally there within the ninth to go up one, one other two-strike mistake to guide off the inning, and it’s a tricky loss.”
The Guardians will not make the postseason, however they acquired one thing of a late-season reward in getting again Bieber after he missed 64 video games.
The proper-hander made his first begin since July 9, getting back from the injured listing after being sidelined with elbow irritation.
Bieber’s harm was a vital one for the Guardians, who did not have the 2020 AL Cy Younger winner anchoring their employees in the course of the coronary heart of the season. He allowed 5 runs and 6 hits in 5 innings, however his comeback meant rather more to Bieber and Cleveland than any stat line.
“A particular evening for lots of various causes,” Bieber mentioned. “For me personally, it was a giant aim of mine (to return). It felt nice.”
Baltimore was relying on starter Dean Kremer to offer them a high quality begin to defend its drained bullpen, however the right-hander solely acquired by means of 3 1/3 innings.
It did not assist that Kremer’s protection let him down with two errors within the fourth, main to 3 Cleveland runs.
GOLDEN GLOVE
Giménez began an inning-ending double play with a sliding cease within the eighth after which robbed Adley Rutschmann with a diving stab within the ninth.
“That is pretty much as good because it will get,” Francona mentioned. “Most performs that double play after which that ball, that’s successful. He’s actually one thing.”
BULLPEN BOOST
With Baltimore’s bullpen taxed throughout a tough stretch, the staff recalled right-hander Tyler Wells from Triple-A Norfolk to assist.
He was wanted instantly, pitching two scoreless innings.
Wells was one of many AL’s high starters within the first half of the season. Nevertheless, the 6-foot-8 right-hander was despatched down following the All-Star break and has been pitching in aid. The 29-year-old was a reliever in 2021 and Hyde indicated he might be utilized in a wide range of roles.
“We’re hoping he may also help us in that again half of the sport,” Hyde mentioned. “We’re in search of guys to get outs proper now. They’re fairly fatigued within the bullpen.”
MUSICAL NOTES
The Guardians honored Cleveland-born rapper Child Cudi with a bobblehead giveaway.
Cudi’s look brought on fairly a pregame stir amongst the Guardians with pitching coach Carl Willis posing for an image with him within the dugout.
Whereas Francona admitted not understanding Cudi’s work, he was conversant in Taylor Swift’s guitarist Paul Sidoti, one other Cleveland-area native who threw out a ceremonial first pitch earlier than enjoying the nationwide anthem.
“Love him, love her,” mentioned Francona.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Guardians: Rookie C Bo Naylor was eliminated within the fifth with a bruised proper thumb. David Fry changed him behind the plate.
UP NEXT
Guardians RHP Cal Quantrill (3-6, 5.26 ERA) begins towards Orioles LHP John Means (0-1, 3.60), who makes simply his third begin in 17 months after present process Tommy John surgical procedure.
