Emmanuel Clase came into the game with a one-run lead and got the first two batters out. And then it all fell apart for Clase. He hit Anthony Santander and gave up a soft infield single with two strikes to Ryan O’Hearn; both runners moved up to 2nd and 3rd on a wild pitch by Clase (which looked like a passed ball on David Fry). The next batter was Aaron Hicks and he got Hicks to ground a ball to third, and Jose Ramirez could not get over in time to stop the ball from going down the line to score both runs. Orioles take the lead 8-7, Clase’s 12th blown save in 2023.
The Guardians decided to return serve on rallying in the 9th inning and it all started with Andres Gimenez’s double and was moved to third on a ground out by Gabriel Arias. After an intentional walk to Will Brennan, David Fry rips a double to deep center field, and after Cedric Mullins misplayed the ball off the wall, both Gimenez and Brennan scored to give Fry and the Guardians a walk-off FRY-Day night victory!
Shane Bieber in his first start in over two months, went five innings giving up five runs, four earned while striking out five.
In the ninth inning of Friday night’s game, David Fry came through with a crucial two-run double for the Cleveland Guardians. This was a remarkable turnaround after their closer, Emmanuel Clase, had let another save opportunity slip away, allowing the Baltimore Orioles to take the lead with Aaron Hicks’ two-run double earlier in the inning.
Andrés Giménez, who had showcased his defensive prowess in the eighth and ninth innings, kick-started the rally with a leadoff double off Yennier Cano. With one out on the board, the Orioles chose to intentionally walk Will Brennan to set up a showdown with Fry.
Fry, the Guardians’ catcher, wasted no time and connected with Cano’s first pitch, sending it off the left-center field wall. This clutch hit brought in both runners, spoiling what could have been a memorable comeback by the Orioles.
Despite the Guardians not making it to the postseason, they received a late-season boost with the return of Shane Bieber. Bieber, the 2020 AL Cy Young winner, made his first start since July 9 after recovering from elbow inflammation. Although he gave up five runs and six hits over five innings, his return held great significance for both him and the Cleveland team.
On the Orioles’ side, they were counting on Dean Kremer to provide a quality start and preserve their weary bullpen, but Kremer could only manage 3 1/3 innings. His defense didn’t do him any favors either, committing two errors in the fourth inning, which resulted in three runs for Cleveland.
Bieber himself made a costly throwing error in the third inning, contributing to the Orioles’ three-run surge and a 5-3 lead. Ramón Urías tripled and scored on a double by rookie Gunnar Henderson. Adley Rutschman hit a comebacker that Bieber fielded cleanly, but he rushed his throw to third base, allowing Henderson to advance. Santander’s single then drove in Rutschman. Despite the early troubles, Bieber managed to recover, securing a crucial double play and a strikeout to escape further damage.
Bo Naylor was removed in the fifth with a bruised right thumb. David Fry replaced him behind the plate.
Up Next
Cal Quantrill (3-6, 5.26 ERA) starts against Orioles LHP John Means (0-1, 3.60), who makes just his third start in 17 months after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Saturday 9/23 6:10 PM EST – Game 3 of 4 game series vs. Orioles
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