David Fry Enters Exclusive Club With Go-Ahead Home Run

The Cleveland Guardians lived another day thanks, in large part, to David Fry.

In the seventh inning of Thursday’s game against the Detroit Tigers, he socked one of the most important home runs in recent Guardians history.

Cleveland was trailing 3-2 when Fry came up to the plate, and after he belted his two-out, two-run blast, they took a 4-3 lead they would never relinquish.

It’s just so rare to see such an important, clutch homer: to go ahead in the score, in the seventh inning or later, and facing elimination.

Well, Fry did it, and entered an exclusive club in the process.

“Go-ahead HR while trailing in 7th or later, facing elimination in postseason: 2024 ALDS G4 David Fry, 2024 NLWCS G3 Pete Alonso, 2019 WS G7 Howie Kendrick, 2005 NLCS G5 Albert Pujols, 1998 NLCS G5 Michael Tucker, 1986 ALCS G5 Dave Henderson, 1981 ALDS G3 Ted Simmons, 1970 WS G4 Lee May, 1960 WS G7 Hal Smith. Fry: only as PH,” MLB stats expert Sarah Langs posted on X.

go-ahead HR while trailing in 7th or later, facing elimination in postseason:

2024 ALDS G4 David Fry
2024 NLWCS G3 Pete Alonso
2019 WS G7 Howie Kendrick
2005 NLCS G5 Albert Pujols
1998 NLCS G5 Michael Tucker
1986 ALCS G5 Dave Henderson
1981 ALDS G3 Ted Simmons
1970 WS G4 Lee May… https://t.co/0a3aFDAOLz

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 11, 2024

That last clarification makes Fry’s feat all the more impressive: his round-tripper under those specific circumstances was the only one as a pinch hitter.

If that wasn’t enough, the All-Star secured the Guardians victory with a perfectly executed squeeze bunt in the top of the ninth.