The Cleveland Rangers completed a thrilling 9-8 victory over the Chicago Cubs at Progressive Field in a showdown reminiscent of the intensity of the 2016 World Series.
Josh Naylor Drives Eighth-Inning Victory
The game was a roller coaster of momentum shifts, culminating in a decisive run-scoring single by Josh Naylor in the eighth inning. Naylor's key hit brought Jose Ramirez to the plate, who had set the stage with a double against the wall in right field and advanced to third on a pop-up single by Will Brennan.
Ramirez's performance has been consistently strong, leading the team with 38 multi-hit games and scoring 17 runs in his last 15 starts. His presence in the field has been a key factor in Cleveland's success.
In the ninth inning, closer Emmanuel Clase successfully secured his 36th save of the season, sealing the Guardians' third consecutive victory after enduring a seven-game losing streak.
This victory marked the 70th win of the season for the Guardians, adding to their impressive tally of 32 comeback victories, second only to the Kansas City Royals in the Major League Baseball.
Manager Stephen Vogt praised the team's resilience, highlighting their ability to succeed in a variety of situations, especially when facing challenges late in the game.
Big Night For Noel
A standout player was Jhonkensy Noel, who not only made a spectacular diving catch in the fourth inning, saving two potential runs, but also connected for two home runs, achieving a personal record of four RBIs.
Noel's first home run in the fourth inning and his second in the sixth were instrumental in building the Guardians' lead. His defensive play was praised by manager Vogt as a "game-saver," halting the Cubs' momentum at a critical moment.
Steven Kwan also contributed significantly with his 13th home run of the season, a two-run blast, while David Fry added to the scoring with a driving single. These efforts helped the Guardians establish an 8-3 lead by the end of the sixth inning.
However, the Cubs mounted a ferocious comeback in the seventh inning, scoring four runs against a depleted Guardians bullpen. Scott Barlow and Nick Sandlin struggled under pressure, with Barlow giving up a three-run double to Dansby Swanson and Sandlin allowing a driving sacrifice fly to Seiya Suzuki, tying the game 8-8.
Despite these challenges in the bullpen, Sandlin managed to strike out Isaac Paredes to end the eighth inning, and after Naylor's game-winning RBI, secured his seventh win of the season.
Noel's contributions were particularly notable, with his first home run being a 400-foot blast off Cubs rookie left-hander Shota Imanaga that put Cleveland ahead by a run. His second home run, a solo shot into the left field bleachers, further extended his lead.
Noel attributed his success to diligent preparation by the hitting coaches, focusing on maintaining his approach against high velocity pitchers.
Awfully WINdy tonight.#ForTheLand | #GuardiWWWWins pic.twitter.com/9dO4rxuQLj
- Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) August 13, 2024
Cleveland On a Roll
Guardians starter Ben Lively had a mixed performance, allowing three runs on five hits, including home runs by Ian Happ and Pete Crowe-Armstrong, which initially gave the Cubs a 3-0 lead. Relief pitcher Pedro Avila then took over, pitching 2 1/3 innings of no-run baseball with two strikeouts.
Cleveland's lineup showed marked improvement against Imanaga during his second pass through the order, going 3-for-8 with a walk, a home run and four runs scored, in contrast to his initial 1-for-9 with two strikeouts.
This game highlighted Cleveland's dominance against left-handed pitchers, with a 26-9 record this season, the best in the majors, a significant improvement over last year's 24-35 record.
The Guardians have maintained a home run streak in seven consecutive games and in 13 of their last 15 since July 28, placing them second in the American League for most home runs during that span.
Naylor reflected on the team's relentless effort and energy, emphasizing their constant determination to fight to the end, no matter the circumstances.
The Guardians and Cubs will square off again Tuesday night at Progressive Field. Guardians left-hander Matthew Boyd will make his 2024 debut, facing Cubs right-hander Javier Assad, who has a 5-3 record with a 3.24 ERA.
