Since Emmanuel Clase blew the save on Opening Day, it opened the door for Paul Sewald to come in an record a save in extra innings.
Since the role of closer was first established (roughly the late 1960s, early 1970s), only two pitchers have recorded a save on Opening Day for Cleveland who did not lead the team in saves that year (which is obviously likely the case for Sewald).
In 2014, John Axford recorded the save. He was the Opening Day closer, but Cody Allen was given the job later that year and would lead the team in saves.
In 1997, Paul Shuey recorded the Opening Day save. He was filling in as closer at the start of the year for Jose Mesa, who was inactive due to his active rape trial.
Nick Sandlin gave up a grand slam to the Blue Jays’ Dalton Varsho yesterday and was removed from the game before recording an out.
He’s the 12th pitcher in franchise history to give up a grand slam without recording an out. The others:
Latman and Barker were the only ones to do so as a starting pitcher. Latman and Shaw were the only ones to give up multiple home runs in the game.
Lilliquist (vs Detroit’s Lou Whitaker) and Shuey (vs Anaheim’s Tim Salmon) gave up walk-off grand slams.
Scott Barlow took the loss, but it was Eli Morgan who walked in the winning run on Sunday against the Athletics. Barlow allowed all three batters he faced in the bottom of the 9th to reach, loading the bases. Morgan then walked pinch-hitter Abraham Toro.
It was the first walk-off walk allowed by Cleveland since 1998.
The most recent walk-off walks allowed:
Sam Hentges entered last night’s game with the Guardians leading 3-0, which means he recorded a hold despite the final score ending up at 11-0.
It’s the 11th time in franchise history someone has recorded a hold in a game that was ultimately won by double digits.
The others:
- Cam Hill, 13-0 win vs CIN in 2020
- Neil Ramirez, 15-3 win at OAK in 2018
- Mark Rzepczynski, 15-3 win at OAK in 2018
- Bryan Shaw, 13-3 win vs TOR in 2017
- Esmil Rogers, 15-4 win at KC in 2012
- Justin Speier, 12-1 win at KC in 2000
- Eric Plunk, 14-2 win vs BAL in 1996
- Paul Shuey, 14-2 win vs BAL in 1996
- Plunk, 15-5 win vs NYY in 1993
- Kevin Wickander, 15-5 win vs NYY in 1993