CLEVELAND — This is the spot guys like C.J. Kayfus and Parker Messick hoped to be in when they started the season in the minors.
It’s the middle of September, and the two rookies may have a big say in the Guardians’ playoff fate.
Kayfus hit a two-run home run and Messick had another quality start in Cleveland’s 3-1 win over the Chicago White Sox on Sept. 13. The Guardians kept pace in the American League wild card chase after starting the day 3½ games out. They also cut the Detroit Tigers’ Central Division lead to 6½ games with six games left between the two teams.
“Every manager in the minor leagues preached from the beginning of the year that all of us truly had a shot to be in this position,” said Kayfus, who started the year with the Double-A Akron RubberDucks. “I think our locker room is really set on the playoffs, and we truly believe we’re going to be there.”
The Guardians (77-71) have won four in a row and nine of 11. For a team that lost 10 straight at one point, it’s almost unthinkable they’re still in the race.
Two big hits by Kayfus have helped make this a successful homestand.
Kayfus hit a a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth inning of a 3-2 win over the Royals on Sept. 11. In the second inning against the White Sox, he deposited another two-run homer to right to put the Guardians ahead to stay.
White Sox starter Davis Martin beat Kayfus with a fastball before Kayfus made an adjustment.
“I definitely wasn’t looking for a fastball, so it kind of snuck up on me,” Kayfus said. “I had a feeling he was going to try to get another one by me.”
Martin couldn’t beat Kayfus this time.
“That was a beautiful swing,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “It was a huge momentum swing for us in the game.”
Kayfus’ two-run home run was enough run support for Messick. The 24-year-old left-hander didn’t have his best stuff, but he was good enough to improve to 3-0.
Messick scattered six hits over seven innings but gave up only one run. He struck out four and walked one.
“You’re not going to have your best stuff every time you go out there,” Messick said. “… You have to find days where you have to grit out some outs without your best stuff.
“Today my stuff was fine when I executed. When I didn’t, they found holes. That’s just how the game goes. As long as I can execute, I feel like I’m in a good spot.”
The White Sox scored their run off Messick in the first and had a shot to do more damage. A double-play line out ended the inning.
Messick kept Chicago off the board despite allowing hits in each of the next four innings.
“He competes,” Vogt said. “I thought Parker navigated six innings beautifully without his best command.
“What we’ve seen from Parker in five starts is the ability to make adjustments, the ability to attack the zone and get outs without his best stuff.”
Jhonkensy Noel hit a pinch-hit solo homer in the eighth to give the Guardians a 3-1 lead. Cade Smith worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his 14th save.
Here’s how the game unfolded through our live updates.
Cade Smith wraps up Guardians win over the White Sox
Cade Smith finishes off the White Sox in the ninth as the Guardians beat Chicago 3-1. Cleveland is now 77-71.
‘Big Christmas’ gives the Guardians a big insurance run
“Big Christmas” adds another present under the tree.
Jhonkensy Noel’s solo homer in the eighth gives the Guardians a 3-1 lead.
Starting pitcher Parker Messick solid again for Guardians
Parker Messick gives the Guardians another quality start. He allows one run, seven hits, strikes out four and walks one in seven innings.
Erik Sabrowski comes on in relief with the Guardians still leading 2-1.
White Sox starter Davis Martin exits game in sixth inning
Tyler Gilbert comes on in relief of White Sox starter Davis Martin in the sixth inning.
Martin allowed two runs and five hits in five innings. He threw 85 pitches (56 for strikes), struck out three and walked one.
Guardians get no help in American League Wild Card chase
The Guardians didn’t get much help from the Mets, who lost 3-2 to the Rangers today.
Texas is currently 1½ games out of the final AL wild card spot and 2 games in front of the Guardians.
The Mets can’t even help themselves. They have lost eight straight.
Inning-ending assist for Guardians left fielder Nolan Jones
White Sox left fielder Will Robertson thought of stretching a two-out single to a double in the fourth.
Guardians left fielder Nolan Jones had other ideas. He threw out Robertson at second to end the inning and keep the Guardians lead at 2-1.
C.J. Kayfus two-run homer in second give Guardians the lead
It looks like C.J. Kayfus is here to stay,
After Bo Naylor opened the second with a single, Kayfus hit a two-run homer to the right field seats to give the Guardians a 2-1 lead.
Kayfus hit a go-ahead two-run homer in Thursday’s come-from-behind-win over the Royals.
Guardians leave bases loaded in their half of first inning
White Sox starter Davis Martin walked a tightrope after getting two quick outs in the Guardians first.
Jose Ramirez reached on a wild pitch after striking out. Kyle Manzardo singled, Nolan Jones walked to load the bases.
A Gabriel Arias flyout ended the threat and kept Chicago’s lead at 1-0.
White Sox touch Guardians starter Parker Messick for run in first
It could have gone a lot worse for Guardians starter Parker Messick in the first inning. He gave up three hits, including an RBI single off the left field wall by Lenyn Sosa.
Mike Tauchman lined out into an inning-ending double play, keeping Chicago’s lead at 1-0.
Cleveland Guardians lineup vs. Chicago White Sox
Hot start for Guardians starter Parker Messick
Starter Parker Messick’s 1.93 ERA is the third lowest for a Guardians left-hander through four career starts. He trails Tom Hilgendorf (1.67) and Ryan Merritt (1.86) and ranks just ahead of Brian Tallet (1.96).
Messick earned his second career win in his last start on Sept. 7 at Tampa Bay. He allowed one run and eight hits while striking out four over six innings in the Guardians’ 2-1 win.
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This article originally appeared on The Repository: Guardians game score vs. White Sox | C.J. Kayfus, Jhonkensy Noel homer in Cleveland win
Reporting by Mike Popovich, Canton Repository / The Repository
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