PHILADELPHIA – Gavin Williams struck out 11 batters in eight scoreless innings in a pitchers’ duel with Cristopher Sánchez, and Kyle Manzardo hit a pinch-hit home run with one out in the ninth inning off closer Jhoan Duran to lift the Guardians to a 1-0 victory over the Phillies on Friday night.
Williams (7-3) allowed just four hits while coming within one strikeout of his career high. He reached double digits in K’s for the seventh time in his career and third this season, helping AL Central-leading Cleveland win its seventh straight and 10th in the last 11.
The Guardians couldn’t even manage to get a runner to second base through eight innings against Sánchez, who extended his scoreless streak to 37 2/3 innings.
But thankfully for Cleveland, Sánchez was done after 96 pitches. However, facing Duran (1-2) isn’t an easy task, either, as Philadelphia’s closer has converted all eight of his save opportunities this season.
Pinch-hitting for Rhys Hoskins, Manzardo hit the first pitch he saw, a 97 mph splitter, over the wall in left field for his fifth homer of the season. It was his second pinch-hit home run of his career, both of which have come this season.
Cade Smith finished off the victory with a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his 17th save in 19 chances.
Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt talked about the importance of forcing Phillies starter Sánchez to pitch up in the zone. Vogt also acknowledged that doing so would be easier said than done.
And it sure wasn’t.
The Guardians had just four singles to show against the Philadelphia southpaw. But they had Williams, and some great defensive plays.
Hoskins likely kept the game scoreless with a stellar defensive play to end the fifth inning, diving to snare Justin Crawford’s hard-hit grounder and flipping to Williams for the final out. It was no surprise to see Hoskins make the stop, considering how he talked about his comfort level of playing in Philadelphia against his former team. Hoskins began Friday with breakfast in one of his favorite neighborhood joints and even walked past his old house.
Cleveland also ended the seventh with another strong defensive play, with catcher Austin Hedges firing a perfect strike to second baseman Travis Bazzana to nab Brandon Marsh trying to steal second, completing a double play after Williams fanned Adolis García.