Following a 4-3 win over the Minnesota Twins, the Cleveland Guardians now have a 5.0 game lead in the AL Central division standings. That is to say, first year manager Stephen Vogt has a lot to be proud of, with his team picking up their 87th victory on the year Monday.
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In view of the wild comeback, Guardians' designated hitter Kyle Manzardo hit a clutch two-run home run in the bottom of the 8th inning, which scored Josh Naylor and put the Tribe up by one run.
Kyle Manzardo destroys a go-ahead homer in the 8th 😤 pic.twitter.com/ii4XUElIPd
— MLB (@MLB) September 17, 2024
Following the game, Vogt spoke on this moment, saying it was his favorite of the night, as Naylor waited at home plate to embrace the 24-year-old Manzardo, whose moonshot ended up being the game-winner.
Stephen Vogt got emotional talking about the Guardians big comeback win last night 🥹
(via @MLB)pic.twitter.com/G4N87Bqqdl
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) September 17, 2024
"I'm so happy for him [Manzardo]," manager Vogt said. "Everyone who grows up wanting to play baseball has dreamed of that moment happening. The smile on his face looking back at our dugout, that was incredible."
Vogt continued after pausing to compose himself, as the former MLB catcher got emotional when talking about his players, as he was trying to hold back tears during the postgame press conference.
“I love these guys”
Stephen Vogt got emotional after tonight’s win (,: pic.twitter.com/1vGKgGOHRv
— Fuzzy (@fuzzyfromyt) September 17, 2024
"My favorite part is Naylor at second base standing there watching it and cheering, waiting for him at home plate with a smile on his face. To see two teammates come together like that, that's powerful stuff... I love these guys, they're so much fun to watch. They love each other. They work hard. That was an emotional night. And to see two teammates come together like that? That's powerful."
"I love these guys. They're so much fun to watch. They love each other. They work hard. That was an emotional night." ❤️
Stephen Vogt fought back a few tears when talking about Kyle Manzardo and the camaraderie on this @CleGuardians team.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/8otZfWl4M6
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) September 17, 2024
As the end of the regular season is just two weeks away, the Guardians will look to continue their success into the postseason, being led by Jose Ramirez (.273 batting average, 35 home runs, 107 RBI's, 39 stolen bases) and Naylor (.245 batting average, 29 home runs, 103 RBI's), along with a pitching staff that is ranked top five in ERA (0.67 ERA over the past three games).
To point out, fifth-year closer Emmanuel Clase, who broke Cleveland's all-time saves record earlier this year, came in and picked up his 46th save of the season in Monday night's victory over the Twins, which now ties him with José Mesa, who has held the franchise's single-season record since 1995.
With Cleveland currently tied for the most wins in the American League (87-64), Vogt has exceeded expectations during his first year as a manager.
Notably, back in 2007, Vogt was a 12th round draft pick out of Azusa Pacific University, and went on to play 10 seasons as a catcher for the Tampa Bay Rays, Oakland A's, Milwaukee Brewers, San Francisco Giants, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Atlanta Braves. Throughout his career, he accumulated 560 hits, 259 runs, 82 home runs, 313 RBI's while batting .239.
The Guardians' remaining schedule will include three more games against the Twins, then they will play the St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, and Houston Astros before the start of the postseason.
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