Kyle Manzardo hit his first two major league home runs, and Alex Cobb did not allow a baserunner through the first six innings as the AL Central-leading Cleveland Guardians defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 on Sunday.
Manzardo, who was called up from Triple-A Columbus before the game, hit home runs in the fourth and sixth innings off Pittsburgh starter Mitch Keller. Earlier this season, Manzardo had batted .207 in 30 games during his first MLB stint.
Manzardo said, “I knew coming back that I didn’t have one yet, so that was on my list of things to do. It took a little weight off my shoulders. It was good.”
José Ramírez and Andrés Giménez also hit home runs, making it four solo homers for the Guardians. Ramírez’s home run was his 250th career home run, all with Cleveland. The Guardians improved their AL-best home record to 43-25 and lead the division by 3 1/2 games over Kansas City and Minnesota.
Pirates manager Derek Shelton commented, “They’re good, they’re athletic and their bullpen is really good and can shorten the game. And the guy at third (Ramírez) is the best player in baseball that few people talk about, which is a shame.”
Cobb (2-1) lost his chance for a perfect game when Isaiah Kiner-Falefa led off the seventh inning with a sharp single off Cobb’s glove. Cobb then allowed a second hit to Bryan Reynolds and was taken out of the game.
Cobb said, “I feel like I should have caught it because it hit the meaty part of my palm.”
The Guardians activated Cobb to make his first start since August 14, when he broke a fingernail on his pitching hand. The 36-year-old, who joined Cleveland in a July 30 trade with San Francisco, gave up one unearned run, struck out six, and did not walk any batters.
