Estevan Florial Is The First Guardians Player To Do This In Over 10 Years

On Sunday, the Cleveland outfielder became the first Guardians player to hit a pinch-hit, go-ahead home run since September 24, 2013.

Apr 14, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians pinch hitter Estevan Florial (90) celebrates his solo home run during the eighth inning against the New York Yankees at Progressive Field. / Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Guardians earned a thrilling 8-7 win over the New York Yankees on Sunday afternoon, avoiding being swept in a series for the first time this season.

Despite making one late-game plate appearance and not playing in the field defensively, one Cleveland player made a substantial impact on the outcome of the contest.

With two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning and the game tied at 4-4, outfielder Estevan Florial entered the game as a pinch hitter. After taking a first-pitch strike, the 26-year-old hit a solo home run to right field to put the Guardians ahead for the first time. This was his second home run of the year, and second in as many Cleveland games.

The former Yankee’s home run proved crucial for the Guardians, as New York added a run in the top of the ninth inning to tie the game again at 5-5.

Apr 14, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians pinch hitter Estevan Florial (90) celebrates his solo home run during the eighth inning against the New York Yankees at Progressive Field. / Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

According to Stathead, Florial’s home run was Cleveland’s first pinch-hit, go-ahead home run since September 24, 2013, when 42-year-old Jason Giambi hit a walk-off, two-run home run to defeat the Chicago White Sox.

After Sunday’s game, Guardians manager Stephen Vogt expressed his happiness for the outfielder to come up with a momentous hit when needed most.

“Such a special moment for [Florial],” Vogt said. “Obviously, any time you hit a pinch-hit homer, it’s one of the best feelings a hitter can have. Obviously go-ahead, big moment, bottom of the eighth, but to do it against your former team. He hasn’t gotten consistent at-bats up to this point, but the swings have been better and better. So that was a really cool moment for him.”

Up next, Cleveland will begin a four-game road series against the Boston Red Sox on Monday morning at 11:10 a.m.