CLEVELAND — The Guardians were able to take a much-needed deep breath on Thursday after rallying and re-taking the American League Central lead with a win over the Kansas City Royals, who have closed the gap in that race heading into September.
The Guardians now welcome the Pittsburgh Pirates for a three-game series beginning Friday night. And perhaps most fortuitous for Cleveland, the Guardians won't have to face All-Star rookie Paul Skenes this weekend.
Check back here for live score updates, analysis and highlights from Friday night's game.
The Guardians have beaten the Pirates 10-8, and that's career save No. 150 for Emmanuel Clase with Cleveland, who has passed Cody Allen and is now the franchise's all-time saves leader at 26 years old.
Andrew McCutchen has done what only one hitter before him this season has: hit a home run off of Emmanuel Clase. McCutchen went to the opposite field for a solo shot that makes it 10-8.
Guardians first baseman Josh Naylor drove in a run with an RBI single to right field, making it 10-7, but he appeared to hurt his ankle while he was swinging. Naylor limped down the first-base line before collapsing, and he was later helped off the field.
David Fry blooped a single to right field to sore Lane Thomas, and the Guardians now have a 9-7 lead with Clase warming in the bullpen.
With two runners on, Oneil Cruz walked to the plate as one of the hottest hitters in the league, but Gaddis got him to ground out to Josh Naylor at first base to end the inning with the Guardians leading 8-7.
Unless the Guardians score three runs or more, Emmanuel Clase will have a chance to set the team's all-time saves record in the ninth.
With Cade Smith on the mound for the Guardians, Oneil Cruz again did some damage with an RBI single to make it an 8-7 score. Smith later got out of the inning with the one-run lead in tact.
The Guardians responded to the Pirates' rally in a big way.
First, Jose Ramirez singled, stole second and then scored via Josh Naylor's single to center field, cutting the Pirates' lead to 6-5.
Jhonkensy Noel followed by launching a no-doubt, two-run home run, giving the Guardians the lead, 7-6.
And one pitch later, Andres Gimenez went back-to-back with Noel, driving a solo shot down the right-field line and making it an 8-6 score with a four-run sixth inning for the Guardians.
Noel will have some swing-and-miss, but his power is about to force the Guardians' hand in keeping him in the lineup.
Noel's 13 home runs in his first 45 games are the most by a Cleveland player since Russell Branyan.
Ben Lively was cruising. Then Brayan Rocchio made an ill-advised defensive decision, and the Guardians' lead evaporated.
With a runner on first, Isiah Kiner-Falefa grounded a ball to shortstop Brayan Rocchio. It appeared as though Rocchio had plenty of time to simply flip the ball to second base, or worst-case take the throw to first base for the second out in the inning, but he instead tried to flip it with his glove to second. It might have been a case of getting too flashy.
It didn't work, both runners were safe, and Andres Gimenez nearly had his legs taken out from under him trying to catch the wayward attempt.
After that, the wheels fell off, the Pirates went on to build a six-run rally.
Bryan Reynolds singled to load the bases, and Oneil Cruz followed with at two-run single to make it 4-2. Andrew McCutchen then doubled off the wall in center field to score two more runs and tie it 4-4 (which included a relay throw from Rocchio that hit the mound and bounced straight in the air). And Rowdy Tellez then crushed a two-run home run, giving the Pirates their first lead of the night.
With a runner on third, Austin Hedges' run of putting down perfect bunts continued, and he brought home Andres Gimenez from third with a bunt down the first-base line, making it 3-0.
Later, Steven Kwan singled to score Brayan Rocchio, extending the lead to 4-0.
Guardians starting pitcher Ben Lively has blanked the Pirates through four innings, allowing only three hits thus far.
And Pirates manager Derek Shelton will be watching the rest of the game from the visiting manager's office or clubhouse, as he has been ejected after Billy McKinney was called out on strikes to end the fourth.
With two runners on, the Guardians couldn't make it count and were nearly about to let a threat be squandered until Josh Naylor ripped a two-run, two-out double into the left-center gap that scored Steven Kwan and Lane Thomas.
The Guardians are up 2-0 early.
Below is some pregame information.
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Today's game will be televised on Bally Sports and MLB Network (out-of-network). It'll be broadcast on the radio by WTAM (1100-AM) and WMMS (100.7-FM).
After facing the Pirates at home, the Guardians will go on the road for a nine-game road trip in Kansas City, Los Angeles to face the Dodgers and Chicago to play the White Sox.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Guardians vs. Pittsburgh Pirates recap; Emmanuel Clase sets saves record in win
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