Guardians Earn Free Pass Into Division Series

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Hi everyone, him rosen House along with you from Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland. It is Guardians Weekly. Great to have you along for baseball talk on the radio for the next hour or so, as the Guardians are in the midst of their final series of the regular season, a home series here in downtown Cleveland against the Houston Astros, all in preparation for the postseason to come, which for Cleveland will begin next Saturday with Game one of the

The two ozd pitch swung on, socked high in the air to deep break Frayley's going back on the track.

At the wall.

It's gone Kyle vnsardom with a towering home run down the right field line and Cleveland's gotta one nothing lead and Manzardo's incredible surge since the recall continues.

Later on in the first inning, Josh Naylor singled, then Lane Thomas's big September continued.

The pitch swung on, drilled.

Deep, wift down the line, gone to the home run ports Lane Thomas continues his sizzling September. Seven homers, nineteen RBIs this month by Lane Thomas, and it's three nothing Cleveland as they have ripped a pair of home runs off Carson Spires here and ending number one and Laine Thomas now on the year fifteen homers, sixty two rbies.

Now the long ball is back and so is Cleveland's offense. Meanwhile, on the mound for the Guardians, tanner Byby was sharp early and what would turn out to be his final regular season outing tanner Baby on the year eleven and eight e ra a three point fifty six thirty first start, six innings to start, ten strikeouts, two walks per nine. He delivers, and it's swung.

On, bang the third, ramires to second one he mentus turns the inning ending double play. That's a seven pitch inning for tanner Baby. Three nothing Cleveland, middle of ending number two. Now the set, now the one two pitch swinging in a mess chase the high heat. Hey, tanner Baby set them up, put back to back change ups and blew them away.

Three nothing Cleveland. We're in the middle of ending number three. Cincinnati got on the board in the fourth to make it a three to one ball game, but the Guardians got that run right back in the fifth after a single from Jose Ramirez and then Josh Naylor delivered. Here's the pitch, swung on, ripped down the right field line, fair ball into the corner. It goes Ramirez flying toward third. They're gonna wave him. Here he comes down the line.

The relay throw is not in time safe at home plate. It's an RBI double for Josh Naylor and the Guardians now lead it four to one. That was a close play at home plate because the relay man was the shortstop Dela Cruz, who has a cannon, and he made it close at home plate, but Ramirez got in there just ahead of the tag and the Guardians have a fourth run on the board.

It was back to Biby putting up Zeros the pitch swinging a miss, struck him out with the slider. So Tanner baby in great shape here. Six superb innings, six dragouts, four to one, Cleveland, middle of the sixth. In the bottom of the seventh, Cole Manzardo let off the inning with a walk and then Jose Ramirez stepped in the pinch, swung.

In ripped a deep bright field. This ball is off the base of the wall. Hosey's on his way to second. Manzardo steps at third, Guardians at second and third with nobody out. Ramirez with his thirty seventh double, he could still become a forty forty forty man, forty homers, forty doubles, forty steals.

Following Ramirez, it was Josh Naylor driving in his second run on the night. Now the O two swung in and ripped to center field. Freedom makes the ketch above the head tagging our runners, scoring Manzardo Ramirez to third, five to one Cleveland on a rocket to center, give Naylor a sack, fly two Arby Eyes tonight, one to oh seven on the year, five to one Cleveland, and then Lane Thomas added one more in the seventh. Now the cent now the O two pitch swung on ground ball.

Back up the middle, diving stop Dela Cruz gets up throws out Thomas, but Ramirez scores. Oh what a great play by Dela Cruz, playing in the shortstop dove towards second to smother the Thomas grounder.

His only play was at first.

So Thomas gets the run in and Cleveland's got a six to one lead. Lane Thomas three Arby eyes tonight. That gives him twenty Arby Eyes this month. In the eighth, it was Thomas again getting it done on the defensive side. The pitch swung out a fly ball weekly hit to right, charging sliding grab by Thomas. The right fielder got a great jump made a sliding catch, charging in in shallow right bottom of the eighth, coming up with Cleveland in control six to.

One and with the game in hand to Monuel classe A just needed to get some work in and he was out there in the ninth to finish things up. Now the set now the two pitch to Friedel swings and sends one in the air, shallow left out Ramirez in Martine's buggae Martinez with a catch and shallow left and folks.

The playoffs will begin in Cleveland. The Division Series Games one and two will be in Cleveland Saturday, October fifth and Monday, October seventh. The Guardians have wrapped up a first round by beating the Red Legs six to one, so.

A nice win to start the series, and that also clinched the Ohio Cup for the Guardian says, even if they had lost on Wednesday night, they still would retain the Cup for a tenth consecutive season, but they wanted to win it out right, and when they did on Wednesday.

It swung out and ripped deep Brightfield gone.

How about that?

Return Steven Kwan off the injured list with a bullet to right and it's won nothing, Cleveland. Now you don't think they missed that guy at the top of the order. Stephen Kwan is a difference maker. His fourteenth home run and forty four RBIs it's his third home run this year to lead off a ball game.

Back on the mound in the second inning, Andrew Walters retired the first two reds before turning it over to Eric Sabrowski, who finished up the second and was back out there in the third.

One nothing Cleveland.

Third inning, the pitch swing and a miss got it twenty four miles an hour on the heater one of John buy Sabrowski's striking out the side. In the fourth, Kate Smith got the call that counts now one and two on Stevenson. He steps out, wants to slow Smith down. Smith with a great tempo, and why not, He's trying to set the side out in order in a hurry. The one two called strike three on the outside corner at the knees. Stevenson caught looking side retired in order.

He swings and rips it through the left side face it bat'll score Ramirez. Naylor drives in a second run for the Guardians, who now lead it to nothing. Harby I one eight for Josh Naylor and with that drawn in it field, he just smacked it through the hole on that left side, right in the left field for the RBI single. Eli Morgan was next out of the bullpen and he cruised through the fifth inning and was back out there for a second inning of work. In the sixth.

The pitch strike three called floated to change up over six perfect innnings by this Cleveland bullpen. And that is seven strikeouts by the Cleveland bullpen. Could this be an historical night at the corner of Carnagian Ontario do nothing?

Cleveland middle of the.

Sixth onto the seventh, Tim Herron was trying to keep the perfect game going, but Cincinnati's TJ. Friedel wasn't having it well.

Pressure on Tim herrona perfect game for Cleveland. Seventh inning, Tom of the order, TJ. Friedel bunts right of the mount Heron ban He picks and throws to first base. Hit and you can hear the fans booing a perfect game. And TJ. Friedel with a bunch single to the right of the mound, between the mound and the foul line at first. Well, You'll have various opinions on whether This is proper baseball etiquette. But if you're TJ. Friedel in the Reds, you're like, we're down to nothing. We bring

In the eighth, the red score two to break up the shutout bit and tie the game. But it wouldn't stay tied long as in the bottom of the eighth inning, Stephen Kuan and Kyle Manzaro each singled and that brought Jose Ramirez to the plate.

Two out, two one two two game.

We're in the eighth now, the one zero pitch to Jose, swing on.

Pit high, pit deep to ride.

Howay back into the second tick.

Whose runers?

Well? They two out, three run home run and the Guardians have a five.

To two late he is thirty eighth homer.

He now has one hundred and fifteen rby eyes, Oh my goodness, four hundred and seventeen feet for Hosey.

He's still got a shot at forty forty.

I want a home run for Hosey in what has been a special season. And then on to the ninth there was a Manuel class A looking for a record breaking save. He was tied with Jose Mesa at forty six for the franchise record for a single season. This one wouldn't be easy. The Reds loaded the bases with nobody out against the game's best closer.

Now the pitch swung on, trilled on the ground on one hop to third, Ramires to second, Bolgie and Jose Mesa has been eclipsed in the record books. Emanuel classe A stands alone as the greatest single season closer in

Guardians Radio netword home ownership, that progressive, we know it's part of the American dream. It's majestic Golden Eagles, another less majestic birds taunting you to the baseball sized hole in your new windows. It's soaring guitar solos performed true faulty wiring in your garage, which subsequently erupts into flames. It's also around the clock protection when you bundle your homlado with progressives, which can help keep the American dream

Him.

Rosanow's back with you from downtown Cleveland and Progressive Field. It's Guardians Weekly and it's great.

To have you along. This week.

We had a chance to visit with the Manual Classe on Friday, as always with translation help from Aggie Rivero. Classe with just an incredible season going and on Wednesday he passed Jose Mesa for the franchise single season saves record number forty seven in the books for class and when we caught up with them on Friday, he talked about what that record means to him.

But I'm using.

A lot.

It means a lot is a bigger chip in my career. And and obviously it's like good tell him that everything's going well and everything is kind of like going the way that we want. So I'm really thankful for that.

And when you look at it, it's it's kind of a team record because they have to get you in situations where you can save games. And does he look at it that way? And and if so, how impressed have you been with the pitchers and players who've gotten you in that position on almost a nightly.

Basis, you know, and we'll bank Moseielle will and as a as a group, they've done a tremendous job to get us where we are. You know, there's there's a really focus, they're really really positive and able to do the best they can. So I'm really excited for the job they've been able to doe. But he's also an outstanding job being able to to compete the way they have.

And you pass Jose Masai. Obviously you're you're too young to have seen him pitch, but how aware are you of his career in some of accomplishments.

I hear is that he was a first pitcher, He wasn't afraid of anybody, he was always ready to go and always ready to take the ball. So those are things are really good to hear and very excited I was able to compete and break the record with somebody like him.

You had a small taste of postseason in twenty twenty two. Uh, when you look at this team and your season the way it's going, what tells you that this could be a longer stay in the postseason for this team and maybe get all the late at the end.

The sale, the salesa whole, and the things comes down to preparations. I know they have the preparation they prepare themselves to be the best version and the mentality they are ready to compete and ready to do the best. And I think when you combine those two things, those are the things that are going to enable us to be able to compete.

Should be fun.

It's coming soon.

Congratulations on a great season. Thanks Anya, Thank you.

It's a good stuff there from Manuel Classe who is having a season to remember, one of the best all time for any closer in the game. Stay with us when we come back. We'll talk starting pitching with Tanner Biby and also hitting with Chris Baleka. The Guardians hitting coach. That's next as we continue with Guardians Weekly after this short run. Welcome back to Guardians Weekly, Jim Rosenhouse along

I think so I think I'm just kind of weathering the ups and downs.

I mean, we're playing the game really from February to.

October November.

If you really think about X We're in brought the complex in February, so I mean, I think with that long of a season, I mean, you're just trying to keep it as stable as possible.

How different a picture are you right now than maybe you were on your first start back in open super.

Different because the end of the ear is bad. I think it's a lot different.

I mean there's been a lot of tweaks here and there, whether it's Arsenal added a couple of pitches, but overall, I mean I feel like I'm better at the end than I was in the beginning.

That's usually the goal.

And when you mentioned Arsenal, are you using things a little bit differently or or maybe a certain pitch developed better than than maybe you expected.

Yeah, I mean I think this is the I think the first year, probably since my junior year of college, or I've either changed up a grip or added a new pitch. I mean, I think the sweeper thing that I've been throwing, trying to figure out a thing with depth with the past the past two starts, I feel like we really accomplished pretty well and start throwing a little too steam and it's been feeling good.

Responsibility. Shane Bieber goes down after two starts, and I think a lot of people looked at you and said, hey, he's our new ace of this staff. And I don't know if you felt that way at all. But was there more responsibility after the jury to Beeber and where you stood in the rotation?

I mean, I don't really think so.

I think regardless whether Shane was here or not, I mean, not going to replace some but my job stayed the same. I mean, getting the ball every five days, five six days, whatever it is. So I don't really think my job changed a lot. I think it just, uh, it was more of the outside source, which you con just have to ignore probably ninety nine percent of the time.

So I would say I would say it stayed the same.

Team wise, they're right where they'd like to be with the clinching a division title and a bye right into the division series. When you looked at how this team developed, what are you most proud of it? As you look at your teammates over the course of the season, I.

Mean I feel like there's a lot of things that these guys did well. I mean Lively coming in doing what he's done. I mean, Goddess Caid and Tim coming in in their first full year in the big league and doing what they've done. I mean Rokio in his first full year being one of the best defensive trot stops in the league. And I mean, obviously you got Nail as Josey Kahn him me. I mean there's literally

From that mental standpoint. Did it make you stronger what happened last year, especially towards the tail end, I think so.

I mean, I feel like last year, I feel like I didn't really know what to expect. Obviously, it is my first year, so I'm just trying to do what I can do for the team. I think last year and just trying to go out there, like I said, every five days. But I feel like being exposed to it the year like last year and a year like

And not having been here in twenty two and experienced postseason. What are you most looking forward to about postseason?

There's a lot.

I mean, I feel like the crowds are gonna be awesome. I feel like there's gonna be so much energy, alot on the line. I mean, I think I think there's a long list of stuff that I'm really excited for. I'm excited to be the playoffs. I mean, I feel like not many people get to do this very often. I mean, I feel like I was talking to Cob the other day and he was I think the last time I pitched in the playoffs was against Cleveland here.

So that's kind of a crazy thing. It's twenty twenty four and I was twenty thirteen. I think twenty thirteen. Yeah, so, yeah, it's crazy to get to do this in my second year. Hopefully can do this every year.

And probably one of the biggest cliches is this is why you play the game to play and pitching games like that, And are you starting to understand what that means?

Yeah, I think so.

I mean, it's a it's an absolute privilege.

I mean, I feel like, along with being a good baseball team, doing stuff right, doing a lot of little things correctly, I feel like there's also an aspect of luck to it. I mean, I feel like once the pitcher releases the ball and you have no more control, once the hitter hits the ball, there's no more control. I mean, there's a lot of stuff that's not under your control in this game. And I feel like I feel like with us being a good baseball team, it's

It has been a fun season, great season for you, certainly, and I know a lot more to come. Thanks a lot for coming back.

Yea.

Absolutely always good stuff from Tanner Biby and look for him to be a big key for the Guardians in the postseason. Another key for Cleveland can they score enough runs to make a deep postseason run. Chris Falaka is the hitting coach and Steven Voden his coaching staff continue

I think, you know, anybody that gets traded or you know, comes up to the big leagues, you know, it's it's tough for them to you know, they want to perform from day one, and you know, Lane having some track record and being in the big leagues for a while like he had, you know, I think it's difficult coming to in your organization, especially somebody that traded for you that you want to show why they traded for you. So, you know, more of it was just you know, keeping

You have two youngsters up from Triple A Columbus who are here in the season and on Hell Martinez and Kyle Mansarto, and both looked really sharp here in the month of September. What have you seen in terms of improvements from them?

I think with Kyle, you know, him learning the cadence of how to DH and not playing you know, the field or not playing you know, every day like he might have been in Columbus. So I think he's done a great job learning from the experience when he when he was up here to start and really owning that

And your mainstays, Jose Ramirez, Josh Naylor, what are you seeing from them as they get a little bit closer to the end here.

I mean, hose Hosey is the probably the benchmark of consistency. So seeing what he does on a daily basis is just incredible to you know, thirty five home runs, thirty you know, one hundred plus RBIs I think what thirty five doubles now, So just seeing his consistency, you know, and Josh, you know, just be being that presence and that threat in the lineup.

And you have some young guys who have gone through their ups and downs, and let's start behind the plate, Bod Naylor. Has she shown enough improvement where you feel confident heading into the postseason that he can do some damage or is he still working on some things?

I mean, we're always going to be working on things with guys, But I think both showing a lot of growth through this year. You know, these are the most games he's played in his professional career, so seeing him navigate that has been won. But just the professionalism he comes with every day, you know, not just offensively, but how he's running a pitching staff, how well he's done defensively behind the plate. That we're always going to keep working, you know, I think that the work is never done

And John Kenzie know, well, he'll have his ups and downs, I'm sure, but as he gets deeper into this thing, what have you seen, it's encouraging.

You know, I've he keeps growing and maturing. And even days he's not playing, how prepared he is on the bench, his routine during during the game, you know, he's thinking along along with the game, He's watching the iPads, he's watching the game. He's very prepared and waiting for his opportunity.

And in general fun stuff to be sure, this time of year where you know there's going to be more baseball at some point.

Yeah, I mean it's super exciting. You know. I think we just you know, want to get through the finish line here and you know, obviously get an opportunity at the playoffs. But you know, we've come this far, We've been you know, in front of the division all year that you know, I think it's special for these guys to finish the job that they came out and set out to do in spring training and that that's when the Division and ultimately the World Series.

Chris, always great to have you on. Thank you got it, And it's Guardian City coach Spaleka with the rundown on several of the team's hitters as they head into postseason play next week.

Stay with us.

We'll be back to the final segment of Guardians Weekly after this timeout on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network.

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Jimmerros Announced back with you from Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland. It's Guardian's weekly in time for our final segment. Every once in a while, we check in with Guardian Senior Vice President Bob D Biassio for another edition of At the Ballpark with Bobby D. Coming your way right now.

The perfectly manicured field, the unmistakable aroma of a ballpark hot dog, and the electricity celebrating another victory.

This is at the Ballpark with Bobby D. Thank you, Hammy.

Welcome to at the Ballpark, where we hope you enjoy our conversations with those involved in the wonderful game of baseball. Those who may be behind the scenes were the colorful personalities who have provided so many exciting moments and memories. We're joined by outfielder Ellis Sparks. Appreciate you taking.

The time to connect Dallas.

Thanks for having me, Bobby. I enjoyed every time I come to the ballpark and get to see guys like you.

That's very kind. You enjoyed a long major league career, eighteen seasons with five different ball clubs. Your big league career started at age of twenty two and you ended at the age of thirty nine, including three seasons in the Cleveland uniform. It all began when you were the Boston Red Sox number one draft pick, the twentieth pick overall in nineteen eighty three. Oddly, it was the January Draft. Not many people remember there was a January draft and

Well, you know, I had went to Ranger Junior College out of high school and ended up playing there my freshman year. I had no idea about a January draft, and all of a sudden, the scouts were coming to the game and they said, you have an opportunity to get drafted, and I was like, oh, great, you know, and they drafted me in the first round, the Red Sox did and that was the last year of the

You were born in Mississippi and then but grew up in Texas Fort Worth area. What age did you move into Texas and begin to play where you were an all three sport guy for sport guy, I'm sure.

Well.

I left Mississippi when I was ten years old and my parents moved to Texas, and of course middle school, high school, college in Texas, and all of a sudden, you know, in high school, I did play basketball, I played baseball, I ran track, did not play football, which is everyone asked me, why didn't you play football? Well, my dad told me, he says, hey, if you're going to concentrate on track in baseball, football will get you hurt. And the first time I went out to try out,

When you began your big league career Alice with the Red Sox in nineteen eighty seven, I mean you jumped right in. You did not ease into the big leagues. You played one hundred and thirty three games, had six hundred and six played appearances. No easing into it for you. Twenty homers, twenty seven steals, twenty twenty club right out on the box.

Yeah, I mean, you know, it was one of those things where I knew how to play the game. You know, I was in the minor leagues for the Red Sox for three seasons. You know, learned a lot. They groomed me well. So when I got that opportunity to make it to the major league level, I just jumped.

In right away.

And I had some guys like Jim Rice, Dwight Evans that really helped me out in the outfield, and you know, I was just a part of a great team. You know, it was just one of those things I fit in quite well. So it was a lot of fun.

Well twenty two playing center field and Fenway Park again with guys like Evans and Jim Rice, that had to be so incredibly special.

That was so special. I mean I got an opportunity to meet those guys the spring training prior to me making it to the big leagues, and you know, they knew that I was one of these up and coming young kids. And it wasn't any animosity because the guys like Dave Henderson, he knew I was there to take his position. But no, he helped me more than anything. He showed me how to play certain players and position wise. He told me what these pitchers were gonna throw me,

Nineteen ninety six was probably your best season in the big leagues with Colorado. You had forty homers, one hundred and twenty eight ribbies, You had three forty four that year. Almost won the batting title, but some guy by the name of Tony Gwynn ends up hitting three point fifty three to beat you out that season. When you think about it, you scored one hundred and forty two runs to lead the league. You led the league and a

Well, Bobby, let me just say this. You just had to bring up that point about the batting title, Well.

Tony Gwinn when you're in the same Sutton town.

Yeah, you're absolutely right. And you know, that was just an amazing season for me, you know, offensively, defensively. It was just one of those seasons you dream about. You know it's in you, but it finally came out. That was just everything went right. It was from day one, you know, all the way through the end of the season. I saw the pitches out of the pitcher's hand. I mean, when you can do that, you know you're gonna have

You sign as a free agent with Cleveland in two thousand and one, mostly as a DH and have two great offensive seasons. You play for Charlie Manuel. The two thousand and one team wins ninety one games. Your teammates with Jimmy Tomy and Robbie Alamar Kenny lofton Omark talk about that club.

That was a great team. I was so happy to have an opportunity to come to Cleveland and play in an organization like this and play on a team with stars like that. You know, I left, of course Colorado and San Francisco and they have the great hitters as well, and I wanted to be in another organization like that. So it was an easy sign for me to come here to Cleveland. And I mean welcome me in with open arms, and that's exactly what me and my family wanted.

You watched CC Sabbathi at twenty years old, what did you see in him as a young lefty?

I saw a young phenom. I mean, this kid had it all. Fastball mid nineties to upper nineties, unbelievable breaking ball and a changeup. And the thing about CC, he had the poise. You know, it was like he's been here before, that kind of stuff, and you know, he was one of these kids. He he absorbed all of the knowledge that he got at the minor league level and applied it that rookie year to win seventeen games his rookie year. That was pretty amazing.

Since joining the Indians back in one you and your family made your home here in Cleveland and being inducted into the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame in twenty eighteen, a remarkable career. Can't thank you enough for joining us and reliving some stories. We'll have to do it again.

I appreciate it bybe thanks for having me.

I hope you enjoyed our conversation with Alice Burks and we look forward to our next at the Ballpark on the Cleveland Guardians Radio Network.

That's at the Ballpark with Bobby d And that's going to do it for this week's edition of Guardians Weekly. Thanks so much to Brian Motsey has always for putting together our show each week until next week when we'll be right back here as the Guardians will be getting the postseason underway with Game one of the con League Division Series. This is Jim Rosenhause reminding you that you've been listening to Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network.

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