The Cleveland Guardians were so close to victory that they could taste it.
Then, Jorge Polanco’s RBI single changed everything.
Stephen Vogt’s team entered the ninth inning hanging onto a one-run lead over the Seattle Mariners, but they couldn’t escape with a win.
If that doesn’t sound like a familiar situation, it is because it hasn’t happened very often recently.
As pointed out by John Sabol of FOX Sports on X, Saturday night’s game was the first time since 2023 that the Guardians lost a game after leading after the 8th inning.
Notably, they were 112-0 entering last night’s game.
#Guardians blow it the 9th in Seattle.
First time since 2023 Cleveland lost a game after leading after the 8th Inning.
Guards were 112-0 entering tonight 👀!@fox8news
— John Sabol (@John_Sabol) June 15, 2025
Of course, Emmanuel Clase and the bullpen have blown saves and leads, but the team still found a way to get the win after the other team tied things up down the stretch.
The Guardians have been one of the best teams in all of baseball after the sixth inning.
That’s usually when they’re at their best at the plate, often getting to the opposition’s bullpen while thriving behind their very own elite bullpen.
Even so, all streaks eventually come to an end, and this streak was unsustainable.
If anything, it speaks volumes about the team’s elite closer situation and how well-managed they are.
Hopefully, this won’t become a trend with Clase, who struggled mightily at the beginning of the season and didn’t look like his usual self for the first month or so.
It happens to the best, and there’s no need to sound the alarms.
NEXT: Stats Reveal Concerning Trend For 1 Guardians Position Group
