Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller, right, reacts as Cleveland Guardians Kyle Manzardo, back left, rounds the bases after a solo home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Cleveland, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
CLEVELAND — Kyle Manzardo hit his first two major league homers, Alex Cobb did not allow a baserunner through the first six innings and the AL Central-leading Cleveland Guardians beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 on Sunday.
Manzardo, recalled from Triple-A Columbus before the game, homered in the fourth and sixth against Pittsburgh starter Mitch Keller. Manzardo batted .207 in 30 games earlier this season during his initial MLB stint.
“I knew coming back that I didn’t have one yet, so that was on my list of things to do,” Manzardo said. “It took a little weight off my shoulders. It was good.”
Jose Ramirez and Andres Giminez also went deep as the Guardians hit four solo homers and improved their AL-best home record to 43-25. Ramirez’s home run was the 250th of his career, all with Cleveland.
The Guardians lead the division by 3 1/2 games over Kansas City and Minnesota.
“They’re good, they’re athletic and their bullpen is really good and can shorten the game,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “And the guy at third (Ramirez) is the best player in baseball that few people talk about, which is a shame.”
Cobb (2-1) had his bid for a perfect game broken up when Isaiah Kiner-Falefa led off the seventh with a sharp single off the pitcher’s glove. The right-hander subsequently allowed a hit to Bryan Reynolds and was removed from the game.
“I feel like I should have caught it because it hit the meaty part of my palm,” Cobb said.
The Guardians activated Cobb to make his first start since Aug. 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, allowed one unearned run and struck out six without a walk.
“Obviously, I knew the situation, and realistically I wasn’t going to be able to go nine innings,” Cobb said.
Pittsburgh scored its only run in the seventh after Cade Smith replaced Cobb. Oneil Cruz stole second base when catcher Austin Hedges threw the ball into center field for an error, allowing Kiner-Falefa to come home from third.
Hunter Gaddis and Tim Herrin followed Smith and wrapped up the combined two-hitter.
“That was vintage Alex Cobb. He was spectacular,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “We couldn’t have asked for anything more from him.”
Keller (11-9) worked 5 1/3 innings, giving up four runs, three earned, three homers and a season-high 11 hits. The righty struck out seven and hit one batter with a pitch.
Cleveland has not thrown a no-hitter since Len Barker’s perfect game against Toronto on May 15, 1981. There have been 24 perfect games in MLB history, the most recent by Domingo Germán of the New York Yankees at Oakland on June 28, 2023.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Pirates: RHP Colin Holderman (right wrist strain) and LHP Ryan Borucki (left triceps inflammation) were recalled from their rehab assignments with Triple-A Indianapolis and added to the roster.
UP NEXT
Pirates: RHP Jared Jones (5-7, 3.88 ERA) faces Cubs RHP Jameson Taillon (9-8, 3.85) in the opener of a three-game series Monday at Wrigley Field.
Guardians: RHP Gavin Williams (2-7, 4.99 ERA) opposes Royals RHP Michael Wacha (11-6, 3.50) in the first game of a three-game set Monday in Kansas City.