CHICAGO -- In their own different ways, C.J. Kayfus and Brayan Rocchio are experiencing some firsts in the big leagues these days for the Guardians. And as we have continued to see recently, both are making a big impact.
Kayfus, who made his MLB debut on Aug. 2, hit his first career homer Saturday, helping the Guardians beat the White Sox, 3-1, at Rate Field. The solo blast in the sixth inning gave Cleveland an all-important insurance run, as it won its fifth straight game -- tying a season high.
The Guardians (61-55) have gone 21-7 since July 7 and are five games behind the Tigers (67-51) in the American League Central. It’s the closest they have been since May 26.
Rocchio, meanwhile, gave the Guardians the lead in the fourth when he hit an RBI double that drove home Kayfus. The 24-year-old -- who only played second base for the first time in the big leagues on July 26 -- later saved the day with his glove.
With runners on first and second, Rocchio made a diving stop on a Mike Tauchman ground ball in the eighth inning to start an inning-ending 4-6-3 double play.
For Kayfus, everything is a bit new since Cleveland selected his contract from Triple-A Columbus on Aug. 2. There’s a natural learning curve every rookie experiences.
He looks comfortable so far.
Kayfus got an 87.4 mph four-seamer from lefty Bryan Hudson that ran over the inner half of the plate. It was a 2-0 count, and Kayfus figured he would continue to work the count.
"Honestly, I think I told myself it was an auto-take,” Kayfus said. “‘Let me just get on base, see some more pitches.’ And then I end up swinging. I'm sure glad I did."
No kidding. He crushed Hudson’s offering a Statcast-projected 376 feet with a 104.6 mph exit velocity. It landed halfway up the bleachers in right field after a bounce.
“I didn’t see much,” manager Stephen Vogt said of Kayfus’ swing. “He turned [on it] really fast. He's managing his at-bats really well. He's seeing pitches that he's seeing for the first time, and he's making the adjustments.”
The Guardians’ bullpen acquired Kayfus’ home run ball, which he said will be a gift to his dad, David.
Kayfus went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two strikeouts Friday night. Vogt saw adjustments overnight.
“He punched out on two fastballs up [Friday] night, laid off some and fouled off some tonight. So you're seeing these adjustments. You're seeing him learn on the fly, [while] playing really good defense in two spots.”
Kayfus’ homer set up Rocchio’s second huge moment, and Vogt had a hard time picking a favorite between the two.
“Rocchio’s been swinging the bat great,” Vogt said. “I’ve been loving his at-bats, especially left-handed. He's been outstanding. But that double play was the moment in the game, [and] also just getting to see that live was really special.”
Vogt noted before Saturday’s game how Rocchio is experiencing a number of firsts at second base right now. He was the Guardians’ Opening Day shortstop, but he has mostly played second since Gabriel Arias came off the 10-day IL on July 25.
While he played some second coming up through the Minors, doing it in the Majors is new. It means that each game has something for him to learn, as he gains more experience with the rhythm and nuance of the position, and working with Arias.
Moments like Saturday show he is passing with flying colors.
“That’s what I told [Vogt] when I was called up,” Rocchio said through team interpreter Agustin Rivero. “‘I’m here to help them at any position that they need me, whether it’s shortstop, third base or second.”
Rocchio’s bat has been steady, too. He has a .280/.319/.430 slash line in 33 games since he was recalled from Columbus on July 1. That production has been especially key given that he has typically been batting near or at the bottom of the lineup this season.
“It makes [the lineup] really long,” Vogt said of Rocchio’s production. “And that's why I love to keep him down there in the eight, nine hole. It allows him to get on base for [Steven Kwan] and the top of the order.
“He's been great. And when he's swinging the bat, playing the defense that he's capable of, it makes our lineup a lot longer and us a much better team.”