‘We don’t quit’: Guardians facing elimination after Game 4 loss

CLEVELAND (WJW / AP) – The pressure is on for the Cleveland Guardians , who are facing elimination after Friday night’s 8-6 loss against the New York Yankees in the ALCS.

According to Guardians manager Stephen Vogt, who spoke with media after the game, the team will respond the way they always do.

“We’re going to show up ready to win,” Vogt said. “That’s who these guys are. Our backs are against the wall, we play our best baseball. We don’t quit. This team has no quit in it. It hasn’t all year long.”

The Yankees pulled through after Cleveland All Star closer Emmanuel Clase gave up two runs in the ninth inning, now leading the series 3-1 and leaving the Guardians in need of a win Saturday night. Vogt was asked about what’s he’s seen from Clase over the past couple games.

“I think I haven’t looked at it in depth yet. Today I felt like the ball was just leaking back over the middle and credit to them, they’ve had a great approach off of him the last two days,” Vogt said. “That is what the Yankees do really well. They take a really good approach against your pitchers, and then they get pitches over the middle. They don’t miss them, and they really capitalized.”

This is the second time in the postseason that the Guardians have faced elimination. The Guardians rallied in the ALDS to get past the Detroit Tigers and will have to win three straight, including two at Yankee Stadium, to have any chance of ending their 76-year World Series drought.

Vogt was asked if he thinks the bullpen is getting tired.

“I mean, everybody is tired. I think we’ve used them a lot. We’ve had to. It’s who we are,” he said. “I thought Cade showed a little bit today, but again, even when he’s been tired, he’s been great for us, and you’ve got to credit to them. They put good swings on him, made him work, and just didn’t go our way.”

Game 5 kicks off at Progressive Field on Saturday at 8:08 p.m.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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