Emmanuel Clase’s latest shortcoming was Joey Cantillo’s opportunity.
The Cleveland Guardians’ struggling closer blew a three-run lead in the ninth inning against the Pittburgh Pirates at PNC Park on Sunday. Cantillo, a Kailua High graduate in his second MLB season, got the nod from manager Stephen Vogt for the 10th and worked a scoreless inning for his first career save.
The 25-year-old left-hander issued a leadoff walk to Joey Bart but got Oneil Cruz to ground into a 4-6-3 double play. He then got Enmanuel Valdez to line out to right, stranding ghost runner Jack Suwinski at third and completing a 5-4 win and three-game series sweep.
Teammates flipped the ball to Cantillo on the postgame on-field celebration.
Clase, who in 2024 was one of the game’s elite closers with a 0.61 earned-run average, has an ERA of 7.84 in 11 appearances this season.
Cantillo, meanwhile, has a 1.59 earned-run average in 11 1/3 innings pitched this season. He has struck out 14 batters and walked five.
Another Cleveland reliever with Hawaii ties, University of Hawaii alumnus Cade Smith, is also off to a strong start. He has a 1.64 ERA in 11 innings pitched with 14 strikeouts to four walks.
Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.