Guardians defeat Pirates 6-1 as Manzardo hits first 2 homers
- Kyle Manzardo hit his first two major league home runs during the game.
- Alex Cobb pitched six perfect innings before allowing a hit in the seventh.
- The Guardians maintain a 3.5 game lead in the AL Central division following this win.
On Sunday, the Cleveland Guardians faced off against the Pittsburgh Pirates, securing a decisive 6-1 victory. Kyle Manzardo, who had just been recalled from Triple-A Columbus, made a significant impact by hitting his first two major league home runs in the fourth and sixth innings. This performance marked a notable turnaround for Manzardo, who had struggled earlier in the season with a .207 batting average in 30 games. Alex Cobb, making his first start since mid-August due to a fingernail injury, showcased his skills by not allowing a baserunner for the first six innings. His perfect game bid was broken up in the seventh inning when Isaiah Kiner-Falefa hit a sharp single. Cobb finished the game with one unearned run allowed and six strikeouts, contributing to the Guardians' strong pitching performance. The Guardians' offense was bolstered by José Ramírez, who hit his 250th career home run, all with Cleveland. The team currently leads the AL Central division by 3.5 games over rivals Kansas City and Minnesota. The Pirates struggled against the Guardians' pitching, with starter Mitch Keller giving up four runs and three home runs in 5 1/3 innings. Pittsburgh managed to score their only run in the seventh inning after Cobb was replaced. The Guardians' bullpen, featuring Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis, and Tim Herrin, effectively closed out the game, allowing only two hits. This victory further solidifies the Guardians' position as a strong contender in the division.