Fastball

Cleveland Guardians Closer Hits More Historic Marks in Monday Win

The Cleveland Guardians rallied to beat the Minnesota Twins in a big matchup on Monday night and closer Emmanuel Clase once again locked down the victory.

Brady Farkas

Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Emmanuel Clase (48) throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Progressive Field on Sept 15.
Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Emmanuel Clase (48) throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Progressive Field on Sept 15. / Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
In this story:

The Cleveland Guardians delivered one of the most dramatic wins of the season on Monday night, coming from behind to beat the Minnesota Twins, 4-3, at Progressive Field.

Kyle Manzardo hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to fuel the victory and move Cleveland to 87-64 on the year. They are now 5.0 games up in the American League Central and are just 0.5 games back of the New York Yankees for the top spot in the battle for the top seed in the looming American League playoffs.

As usual, closer Emmanuel Clase shut the door in the ninth inning, working a scoreless frame. Clase's season has been historic on multiple levels. That was his 46th save, which is tied for the most in a single-season in team history.

Per @StatsCentre on social media:

Most saves in a season - Pitcher in @CLEGuardians franchise history (1901-present):
46- Emmanuel Clase (2024 via closing out Monday's 4-3 win vs the Twins)
46- Jose Mesa (1995)
45- Bob Wickman (2005)
45- Joe Borowski (2007)
44- Clase (2023)
43- Doug Jones (1990)
42- Clase (2022)

After leading baseball in saves in each of the last two seasons, Clase is trying to become the first player ever to lead baseball in saves for three straight seasons.

He's got a microscopic 0.65 ERA, which is also angling for some baseball history.

(Related) Lowest ERA in one season (minimum of 68 innings pitched):
0.60- Fernando Rodney (2012)
0.61- Dennis Eckersley (1990)
0.65- Clase (2024)
0.78- Blake Treinen (2018)
0.80- Tim Keefe (1889)
0.90- Ferdie Schupp (1916)
0.92- Jonathan Papelbon (2006)
0.95- Chris Hammond (2002)

The 26-year-old Clase is 4-2 this season and owns a lifetime ERA of 1.70.

The Guardians and Twins will play again on Tuesday night.

Follow Fastball On SI on social media

Continue to follow our Fastball On SI coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.

Published
Brady Farkas
BRADY FARKAS

Brady Farkas is a baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation and the host of 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast which can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Videos on baseball also posted to YouTube. Brady has spent nearly a decade in sports talk radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University. You can follow him on Twitter @WDEVRadioBrady. 

Home/History