Jhonkensy Noel hit a two-run home run as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning, helping the Cleveland Guardians, who lead the AL Central, end a three-game losing streak by defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2 on Saturday.
Noel hit his fourth homer in 35 at-bats since his promotion from Triple-A Columbus last month, giving the Guardians a 4-2 lead against Garrett Cleavinger (5-2).
“I know I have the talent,” Noel said. “I just need to stay prepared all the time to help the team. I don’t play much, but when I do, I have the tools to contribute to victories.”
Noel’s homer had an exit velocity of 110.8 mph and traveled 424 feet. According to STATS, it was Cleveland’s first go-ahead pinch-hit homer by a rookie in the eighth inning or later since Bill Davis on Sept. 9, 1966, against California.
“He’s a powerful guy,” said Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt. “He’s a talented athlete. When he connects, the ball goes a long way.”
After Nick Sandlin (6-0) pitched a scoreless seventh inning, Emmanuel Clase pitched the ninth to earn his 29th save in 32 opportunities.
Steven Kwan of Cleveland went 0 for 4, and his batting average fell from .359 to .354. Yandy Díaz drove in a run for Tampa Bay, which fell below .500 with a record of 47-48.
Tampa Bay went hitless in 11 at-bats with runners in scoring position. In Friday’s 2-0 victory over Cleveland, the Rays were 1 for 16.
“We have to change that trend,” said Rays manager Kevin Cash. “You feel it in the dugout and throughout the game.”
The Guardians took a 2-1 lead in the fifth inning when Angel Martinez hit a solo home run and Andrés Giménez had an RBI single against Zack Littell.
Díaz had an RBI double in the third inning against Gavin Williams. The Rays tied it at 2 in the fifth when Richie Palacios tripled and scored on a throwing error by shortstop Daniel Schneemann on Jonny DeLuca’s grounder.
