Rookie Noel's Game-Winning Homer for Guardians

Cleveland Guardians rookie infielder, Noel, showcased his power hitting with a home run during a recent game against the Chicago Cubs, marking his ninth home run in just 32 games since his major league debut on June 26. Following a standout performance that included his first two-homer game, Noel expressed confidence in his abilities, stating, “I know I’m a good hitter and I just try to do damage to the pitcher every game.” His contributions were pivotal in the Guardians' 9-8 victory in the series opener. Pedro Avila secured the win for Cleveland, improving his record to 4-1 after retiring two batters. Meanwhile, Emmanuel Clase continued his impressive form, earning his fourth save in as many days, tying for the major league lead with 37 saves. Guardians manager Stephen Vogt praised Clase's dedication, highlighting his love for pitching as a key factor in his success. Starting pitcher Matthew Boyd made a successful return to the mound, allowing only one run over 5 1/3 innings in his first MLB game since June 2023. Boyd, who signed with Cleveland in late June, demonstrated his readiness with a strong performance, throwing 80 pitches with a remarkable 61 strikes. On the other hand, Cubs pitcher Drew Smyly struggled, giving up one run in just 1 1/3 innings. The Cubs, currently in a challenging stretch of games against American League teams, missed opportunities to capitalize on scoring chances, as noted by their players.