Leave it to Kyle Manzardo to make franchise history on a Friday night in Philadelphia.
The Cleveland Guardians picked up a 1-0 win over the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, riding a pinch hit solo home run from Manzardo in the ninth inning off Phillies closer Jhoan Duran to snap a scoreless tie and extend their winning streak to a season high seven games. The moment was stunning. The history behind it was even better.
“That’s the first time in franchise history — which dates to 1901 — in which the Guardians won a game 1-0 with the run coming on a pinch-hit home run, per the Elias Sports Bureau,” Zack Meisel posted.
That’s the first time in franchise history — which dates to 1901 — in which the Guardians won a game 1-0 with the run coming on a pinch-hit home run, per the Elias Sports Bureau.
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) May 23, 2026
This was not just a clutch hit in a big game. This was something the franchise had never seen before in any form, across generations of players, rosters, ballparks, and eras of the sport.
When told about the history he had just made, Manzardo loved the history he had just made.
“That’s pretty cool,” Manzardo said. “I was just trying to hit a double. Just making sure I’m getting that foot down just because I haven’t had previous at bats to test timing.”
It was also the second pinch hit home run of Manzardo’s career, and both have come in 2026.
None of it happens without Gavin Williams holding down the fort for eight dominant innings. Williams was at his very best on Friday, going 8.0 innings while surrendering just four hits and no runs, striking out 11 batters without issuing a single walk. He matched his season high in strikeouts and went pitch for pitch with Phillies lefty Cristopher Sanchez, who was equally filthy on the night and had not allowed a run in more than 29 straight innings entering the game.
Manager Stephen Vogt did not mince words when asked about what Williams did Friday.
“Gavin’s been throwing the ball well and you could see it in the look in his eye tonight,” Vogt said. “He wanted to go deep and man, he did.”
Cleveland improves to 31-22 with the win and the seven game winning streak is the longest the Guardians have put together all season. The franchise that has been built on pitching, defense, and clutch baseball at every level of the roster delivered all three in one game on Friday night in Philadelphia.
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