Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase retired the Royals in order in the ninth inning in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader to record his 24th save. Clase was charged with a blown save in the first game when he allowed a three-run homer in the 10th inning.AP
KANSAS CITY — Hunter Gaddis couldn’t remember the last time he’d done it.
“Maybe back in travel ball when I was just a kid,” he said.
Emmanuel Clase said he’d done it before, but couldn’t remember exactly when it was.
What Gaddis and Clase did was pitch in both ends of Saturday’s day-night doubleheader against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Gaddis threw a scoreless ninth inning in the opener, a 5-3 loss in 10 innings. He came back with a scoreless eighth inning in the nightcap of the Guardians’ 6-4 win.
“Maybe I did it in travel ball, way back in the day,” said Gaddis. “But I was just a kid so I could do whatever.
“But this was the first time … at least in a very long time.”
Gaddis said doing double duty in the same day is about mental preparation.
“It’s all preparation,” said Gaddis. “It k’s about eeping the mind strong and staying ready. It’s about being efficient.”
Gaddis was indeed efficient. He needed 12 pitches, six in each inning, to pitch his two innings Saturday.
Clase had a tougher time.
He entered the 10th inning in the opener with a 3-2 lead after the Guardians had broken a 2-2 tie in the top of the 10th. But he had trouble navigating plate umpire Malachi Moore’s strike zone, walking the first two batters he faced. Jonathan India followed with a three-run, walk-off homer on Clase’s 15th pitch of the inning.
In the second game, Clase saved the 6-4 victory by retiring the Royals in order in the ninth on 12 pitches, including eight strikes, for his 24th save in 29 chances.
“I felt OK in the first game, but I felt even better in the second,” said Clase through interpreter/coach Agustin Rivero.
Clase, upset with the result of the first game, made a point of telling manager Stephen Vogt that he’d be available in the second game if a save situation arose.
“I feel strong,” said Clase. “I haven’t been pitching that much lately.”
The Josh Naylor trade
Now that Arizona has traded former Guardians first baseman Josh Naylor to Seattle to beat Thursday’s trade deadline, Vogt was asked about the trade that brought right-hander Slade Cecconi to Cleveland in December.
“I can’t speak to who the Diamondbacks received for Josh from Seattle, but I know on our end we’re happy,” said Vogt. “It was not easy to trade Josh. He was a huge part of this team, a huge part of this clubhouse and a huge part of the order.
“You can’t replace what he brought to our order. We’ve had some guys like Kyle Manzardo and Carlos Santana step up. But we have Slade Cecconi, that is how we look at it.
“Slade has become such a big part of our rotation. He’s one of the reasons we’re in the position we’re in.”
Guardians catcher Bo Naylor says his brother is happy with the trade that has put him back in the postseason race. Seattle owns the second wild card spot in the American League.
“I talked to him to let him know that I was happy for him,” said Naylor. “I’m always watching and making sure he’s in a good spot.
“He’s excited about the trade. Anytime a team shows interest in you, and the product that you bring, and the type of player you are, that’s always something to be excited about. Josh is good at that.”
The arm
Gabriel Arias celebrated his return to shortstop in Saturday’s first game by throwing out Bobby Witt Jr. on a strong throw from the hole to end the fifth inning and save a run.
“Gabby’s throwing is truly special,” said Vogt. “He throws the baseball better than most pitchers and it allows him to make plays like that against a runner like that.”
Arias was activated on Friday from the injured list. He sprained his left ankle on June 28.
Vogt believes Arias and second baseman Brayan Rocchio could become one of the best double play combinations in baseball.
Trade deadline blues
Santana, who has made a name for himself as a second half player, went into Sunday’s game in a 4-for-34 skid.
When asked about Santana, Vogt said, “I think he’s pressing a little bit. This time of year creates different emotions for everybody. Carlos has been around and he understands. I think for him the second half didn’t start like he wanted to. We also asked him to play six straight games at first base in the heat.”
The trade deadline is Thursday. Santana has been traded three times at the deadline in his career. Santana has made it known that he’d love to say with the Guardians.
Finally
Guardians pitching coach Carl Willis attended the Hall of Fame ceremonies in Cooperstown, New York to see broadcaster Tom Hamilton and left-hander CC Sabathia inducted. Willis was Sabathia’s coach through his formative years in Cleveland. Brad Goldberg was Cleveland’s acting pitching coach against the Royals over the weekend.
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