The Cleveland Guardians’ postseason chances took a major hit on Monday when closer Emmanuel Clase was placed on non-disciplinary paid leave, joining starting pitcher Luis Ortiz on MLB’s administrative leave list amid gambling investigations.
The Guardians took another step in the wrong direction later in the day, when the visiting Colorado Rockies rallied against Cade Smith in the ninth inning for an 8-6 win.
The three-game series continues Tuesday when Guardians left-hander Logan Allen (6-9, 4.16 ERA) faces Rockies right-hander Tanner Gordon (2-2, 3.13).
Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt chose to maintain a stiff upper lip after the gut-wrenching Monday loss that saw his newly installed closer retire a lone batter while giving up four runs. Thanks to Smith’s throwing error on an attempted sacrifice bunt, only one of the runs was earned.
“Definitely not a normal Cade outing,” Vogt said. “He just looked like he got a little bit sped up there. He typically has a slow heartbeat pitching that spot. These things happen, but yeah, I still have full confidence in Cade and all of our guys.”
Perhaps no one took Clase’s stunning departure harder than Smith, who filled in for the three-time former All-Star when Clase endured a rough stretch in April.
“That (stinks),” Smith said of Clase’s departure. “I mean, he’s a part of the team. It sucks for him to be not here.”
Smith, a 6-foot-5, 230-pound Canadian, is now 3-for-6 in save situations this season, but he has been a seventh- and eighth-inning anchor since making the Guardians out of spring training in 2024. Over 121 games, Smith has an 8-5 record, four saves and a 2.39 ERA.
“I’m going to do whatever the team asks me,” Smith said. “My job is to be here to compete, to prepare, to be ready for when that bullpen phone rings. And so that doesn’t change.”
Allen has dropped back-to-back outings, giving up seven runs on 15 hits in 11 2/3 total innings against the Athletics and the Baltimore Orioles. He has only pitched against Colorado once, when he was rocked for seven runs over 1 2/3 innings in a road loss on May 29, 2024.
The Rockies are almost certain to finish with the worst record in the major leagues. They are sitting at 28-78, and they could approach the 2024 Chicago White Sox’s modern-era record of 121 losses.
However, in the series opener on Monday, Colorado looked nothing like its lowly mark.
Tyler Freeman tied his career high with three RBIs, capped by the go-ahead single in the ninth, and rookie Warming Bernabel became the fifth player in team history to sock two homers in his first three career games.
Freeman, who was acquired from Cleveland for outfielder Nolan Jones on March 22, has blossomed in a full-time role as a right fielder/designated hitter. The ex-utility man is batting .333 with 16 RBIs and nine stolen bases in his last 45 games, while Jones is 5-for-39 (.128) since July 12.
“I know (Vogt) loves Tyler. Well, I second that,” Colorado interim manager Warren Schaeffer said. “He’s been incredible, brought a lot to our team all season. I love how he plays. You love when a guy goes out and gives it his all — and then some — every day.”
Gordon is 1-3 with a 7.36 ERA in four career interleague starts, but this will be his initial appearance against Cleveland. He threw six scoreless innings in his latest start, beating the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday after being recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque.
–Field Level Media
