The Guardians topped the Phillies 1-0 on Friday night thanks to a 9th-inning pinch-hit home run by Kyle Manzardo.
It was the Guardians first go-ahead pinch-hit homer in the 9th inning or later since Jason Giambi had two walk-off pitch-hit homers in 2013.
It was also just the second pinch-hit home run to break a 0-0 tie in franchise history. Incredibly, the first one happened just two years ago when Will Brennan broke a 0-0 tie against Boston in the 7th inning with a pinch-hit homer.
This is also the 45th time in franchise history Cleveland won a 1-0 game with a home run providing the only offense. The most recent occurrences before tonight:
- 2022 vs Houston (Luke Maile HR)
- 2019 at Seattle (Jake Bauers)
- 2016 at Oakland (Carlos Santana)
- 2014 vs Tampa Bay (Jose Ramirez)
- 2013 vs Texas (Michael Bourn)
- 2013 at Yankees (Jason Kipnis)
And it’s just the 12th time that 1-0 win featured a homer in the 9th inning or later. Here’s the full list of the others:
- 2004 vs OAK – Casey Blake (walk-off)
- 1991 vs BOS – Brook Jacoby
- 1988 vs CHW – Cory Snyder (walk-off)
- 1977 vs MIL – Larvell Blanks (walk-off)
- 1968 vs OAK – Jose Cardenal
- 1967 vs BAL – Tony Horton (walk-off)
- 1963 vs CHW – Willie Kirkland
- 1959 vs BOS – Tito Francona (walk-off)
- 1946 vs NYY – Frankie Hayes
- 1944 vs CHW – Roy Cullenbine (walk-off)
- 1943 vs DET – Hank Edwards