Guardians notes: Emmanuel Clase closing in on top of Cleveland's all-time saves list

CLEVELAND — It's only taken Emmanuel Clase three-plus seasons to climb to the top of the franchise's closers list in Cleveland. A three-time All-Star who was leading the majors in saves for the third straight season with 37 through Tuesday, the right-hander needed only two saves to pass Cody Allen (149) for the most in team history. On the heels of two straight elite seasons, Clase has taken it to an even higher level this year, entering Wednesday owning a 0.64 ERA and allowing only four earned runs over 57 appearances (56⅓ innings). He's blown only three saves, none since May 19 against the Twins. "He's just an absolute animal. That's the simplest way to put it," fellow Guardians reliever Hunter Gaddis said. "He comes out, his name's called, which it usually is when it's time to go shut down a team, and then he's done. He's done that all year." On Tuesday night, Clase became the first pitcher since another legendary Cleveland closer Jose Mesa (twice in 1995) to record four saves in four days. "He wants the ball," manager Stephen Vogt said. "I've said all year. He wants to throw every day. It's unbelievable how hard this guy works to keep himself able to pitch every day, and the fact that he loves to pitch just magnifies it." The manager is happy to hand him the ball in the ninth inning. "I think it comes down to the confidence that we have that they know when I tell them I'm ready to pitch, they know I'm going to be ready to do my best and vice versa," Clase said through an interpreter. "I'm the type of pitcher the more I pitch, the more comfortable I feel." Doctor's office Reliever Sam Hentges (left shoulder inflammation) will travel to Dallas for a second opinion after a setback during his minor-league rehab stint at Triple-A Columbus. Injuries have limited Hentges to 25 appearances. He missed over a month to start the season with middle finger inflammation and has been sidelined since July 11 with the current injury. Big Christmas Jhonkensy Noel is one of only two Cleveland players to hit nine or more home runs in the first 32 games of their MLB career, joining Russell Branyan, who homered nine times from 1998-2000. "It's not any type of groove," Noel said through an interpreter after going deep for the second straight game Tuesday for the first time in his career. "I know I'm a good hitter, and that's what I try to do every single game. I mean, I know I'm a good hitter and I just try to do damage to the pitcher. So, every game is the same mindset." "He believes in himself. He has, from the time I met him this winter through spring training through the first time he walked into Baltimore (for his MLB debut)," Vogt said. "He's been ready for this and it's unbelievable what he's doing, and playing good defense, too. He means a lot to us." Hero's return Left-hander Matthew Boyd received a standing ovation from fans at Progressive Field on Tuesday night after a successful outing — one earned run and six strikeouts over 5⅓ innings — in his first appearance since June 26. Boyd, who had Tommy John surgery over a year ago, spent 2015-23 pitching against Cleveland for Toronto, Detroit and Seattle. It was nice to be on the other side this time. "I'm very grateful. It was really special to have that," Boyd said of the ovation. "The energy in this ballpark has always been palpable. Even when playing here on the visiting side, it's always formidable, right? It was special to have that." Next up The Guardians are off today before hitting the road for the next seven days, beginning a three-game interleague series in Milwaukee on Friday night at 8:10. RHP Gavin Williams (2-4, 4.38 ERA) opens the set for Cleveland, opposing RHP Aaron Civale (3-8, 5.02), while RHP Tanner Bibee (10-4, 3.39) starts for the Guardians on Saturday night (7:10). RHP Ben Lively (10-7, 3.71) goes for Cleveland in the series finale Sunday (2:10 p.m.), while the Brewers counter with RHP Colin Rea (10-4, 3.72). Roundin' third The Guardians entered Wednesday tied with the Royals for the most come-from-behind wins (33) in the majors. Cleveland had homered in eight straight games through Tuesday, going deep in 14 of its last 16 games since July 28 (27 homers). The Guardians entered Wednesday with an American League-leading 15-4 record in one-run games at Progressive Field. Contact Chris Assenheimer at (440) 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him @CAwesomeheimer on X.