Emmanuel Clase’s career as a closer with Cleveland started with a big mistake, but since then, it has been flawless.
On Friday night, Clase became the club’s career saves leader, getting his 150th save in less than five seasons and No. 40 for 2024, as the Guardians beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 10-8.
The right-handed pitcher, known for his powerful cut fastball, surpassed Cody Allen (149) on Cleveland’s career saves list. Clase has achieved this in a short time and continues to improve at 26 years old.
Guardians’ first-year manager Stephen Vogt, who frequently gets asked about Clase’s performance, struggled to find new words but managed to describe Cleveland’s top late-inning pitcher as “special.”
“It’s fun,” he said. “What he’s done in the short spurt here is truly special and I’m only here for five months of it. It’s just remarkable.”
Clase has had an impressive season. He has converted 27 straight save opportunities since May 20, which is the third-longest streak in team history.
He is also the first Cleveland pitcher to achieve at least 40 saves in three consecutive seasons, and the first in the majors since Craig Kimbrel did it four times from 2011-14.
Clase’s rapid rise up Cleveland’s career saves list is even more remarkable given that he missed the entire 2020 season due to a suspension for a performance-enhancing drug violation.
Since then, there have been no errors, only fastballs, strikeouts, and saves.
After giving up a leadoff home run in the ninth inning to Andrew McCutchen on Friday, Clase, who joined Cleveland in a 2019 trade from Texas, secured the final three outs to set the team record.
