With his team’s postseason hopes hanging by a thread, Nolan Jones has come through in the clutch in back-to-back home games for the Cleveland Guardians.
Jones homered in the ninth inning on Wednesday as Cleveland went on to beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 in 10 innings. He then doubled and scored the tying run in the ninth Friday in a 5-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners.
The Guardians hope to continue their walk-off magic on Saturday night when they send Gavin Williams (8-5, 3.36 ERA) to the mound against Seattle’s Logan Gilbert (4-5, 3.69) in a battle of right-handers.
“It feels great, obviously,” said Jones, who also homered in the series opener against Seattle. “I haven’t had a lot of success this season, but I’m trying to put some good swings on balls, then letting the guys behind me do the work.”
Jones went 142 at-bats between home runs from June 13-Aug. 27 before clearing the fence in consecutive games for the first time since 2023. The right fielder also made a big defensive play by throwing out Randy Arozarena at third base in the eighth inning.
Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan leads the majors with 31 outfield assists over the past three seasons, but Jones is just one behind with his combined production for Cleveland and the Colorado Rockies.
“Nolan has been doing everything he can, and you’re seeing the fruits of his work,” Kwan said. “He’s been grinding, he’s been working, and he’s been a big part of our team in the clubhouse.”
Gold Glove Award winner Kwan drove in the winning run off Seattle closer Andres Munoz with a sacrifice fly Friday. He knocked in Brayan Rocchio, who had singled home Jones with the equalizer to complete Cleveland’s comeback from a 4-0 deficit.
The victory pulled the Guardians within four games of the Mariners for the final American League wild-card position. The Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers also are pursuing Seattle, which has lost five straight road games.
“It’s huge, especially since we’re playing the teams we’re chasing,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. “You can’t ask for anything more than that.”
Williams pitched against the Mariners for the first time earlier this year, giving up two runs in four innings in a no-decision on June 13. Fatigue could be an issue going forward as he has made a career-high 26 starts but totaled only 11 2/3 innings in his last three.
Gilbert, who hasn’t faced the Guardians since 2023, is 1-2 with a 3.67 ERA in five career starts against them. He struck out a career-best 13 in his most recent outing, giving up one run over six innings in an 11-4 win over the Athletics on Sunday.
Seattle played Friday without outfielder Victor Robles, who began a seven-game suspension for throwing a bat at a pitcher while he was on a rehab assignment in Triple-A recently.
Right-hander Emerson Hancock, who was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma four days ago, also is in an iffy position while manager Dan Wilson tries to find a low-leverage spot for him to work in relief. All 30 of his appearances in the majors have been starts.
“It’s really only a problem for the next two games because we’ll be able to add another position player and another pitcher on Sept. 1,” Wilson said. “I’m just glad Victor’s suspension was reduced to seven, so he’ll be back next Saturday in Atlanta.”
–Field Level Media
