NEW YORK -- The Guardians have often proved that a team doesn’t have to hit the ball hard to score runs. Entering Tuesday’s action, Cleveland ranked last in the Major Leagues in hard-hit rate at 35.9 percent. Later that night, the Guards hit the ball softly for a 3-2 victory over the Mets at Citi Field.
With the score tied at 2 in the top of the seventh, the Guardians took the lead off reliever Tyler Rogers, who had gotten two quick outs to start the frame. But C.J. Kayfus and Brayan Rocchio hit soft singles to left field to put runners on first and second.
Steven Kwan followed and hit a soft single to center field to score Kayfus and give Cleveland the one-run lead.
“It was great, especially with the pitching that [the Mets] have,” Kwan said. “We didn’t have a lot of opportunities.”
Said Guardians manager Stephen Vogt, “We took what we were given. You are not going to drive the ball off those guys. You take what they give you. Our guys had great at-bats when we needed to and got just enough.”
For Kwan, it’s no surprise the Guardians don’t often hit the ball hard. They don’t care; they prefer to play “Guards Ball.” What does that “Guards Ball” mean?
“Grind out at-bats, have long at-bats and just find a hole,” Kwan said. “I didn’t hit it very hard, but it found a hole.”
With relievers Hunter Gaddis, Nic Enright and Erik Sabrowski having appeared in three of the past four games, the Guardians leaned on Matt Festa, Kolby Allard and Jakob Junis, who combined to pitch three perfect innings.
“It’s just the next guy up. It was all hands on deck. It’s just everybody trusting each other, not trying to do too much,” Kwan said. “We have a lot of vets on our team for a reason. You saw some of that depth today.”
In the bottom of the ninth, Cleveland did use Cade Smith, who threw 22 high-stress pitches while recording four outs across the eighth and ninth innings the night before. But he picked up his fourth save Tuesday by retiring the Mets in order.
“I felt great. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to be in a meaningful situation. I’m grateful I’m one of the guys that they go to. Every day I can go out there and compete, I will do so,” Smith said. “I’m honored to be put in this situation like that. Am I tired now? For sure. That’s all part of it. I’ll do what I can to rest, recover and bounce back as soon as possible.”
With the victory, the Guardians have won 18 of 25 games and find themselves 1 1/2 games behind the Yankees for the final AL Wild Card spot.
“Like I keep saying, this clubhouse is very tight, one of the tighter clubhouses I’ve ever been in,” Allard said. “It’s that belief that we can win every day. Every single day we show up believing it. We have to keep that rolling through August and September. It should put us in a good spot.”
After the game, the Guardians were greeted with a victory hug from Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell. They were not surprised to see him. Not only did Mitchell grow up a Mets fan, he is known to often visit the Guardians at Progressive Field in Cleveland.
“It was cool for him to come in here. They come to our games for support. We go to them during the playoffs, so it’s cool to have the Cleveland connection,” Kwan said.