For a team in the MLB to be great, it has to find contributions from unlikely sources outside of its stars, and the Cleveland Guardians have been getting exactly that from recent call-up Jhonkensy Noel as the rookie hit a massive pinch-hit two-run homer in the eighth inning of last night’s 4-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays to give the team the lead for good.
Manager Stephen Vogt was gushing about the moment after the game in his postgame media availability and had plenty to say in support of his big rookie.
Bally Sports Cleveland shared a clip from Vogt’s postgame interview, and he said: “We’ve seen it now a number of times from our guys off the bench, they’re prepared and our coaching staff does a great job of getting them ready, and prepared for who they’re facing.” and added “Big Christmas just comes through again…I didn’t even see it land because I had to do other things, so I can’t wait to go back and watch the replay.”
Stephen Vogt says Jhonkensy Noel's home run off the bench shows how prepared everyone on the team is and how they're always ready whenever their name is called. #ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/vPdVot352Y
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) July 13, 2024
Vogt added how impressive it was that Noel fouled the first fastball off and was then prepared for the offspeed pitch, and said “Since he’s come up, his at-bat quality has just been off the charts.”
It was Noel’s fourth home run since being called up just a few weeks ago and the rookie has found a way to make an impact even without getting consistent at-bats.
Cleveland really needed the win to end a 3-game losing skid, and the Guardians will look to finish off the series on Sunday and head into the All-Star break with a win.
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