CLEVELAND (AP) — Rookie Jhonkensy Noel hit a two-run homer and Andrés Giménez followed with a solo shot in the fifth inning, leading the Cleveland Guardians to a 10-8 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night. Emmanuel Clase became Cleveland's career saves leader, notching his 150th — and 40th this season — by working the ninth. Clase gave up a leadoff homer to Andrew McCutchen before getting three outs and passing Cody Allen on the club list.
Clase has a legitimate Cy Young case with an ERA under 1.00 and by converting 27 straight save opportunities since May 20. Noel's 450-foot blast off Carmen Mlodzinski (2-5) came after the Pirates had scored six in the fifth to take a 6-4 lead.
Josh Naylor added four RBIs for Cleveland, which entered the weekend with a 1 1/2-game lead in the AL Central over Kansas City. The Guardians will visit the Royals for three games starting Monday. Naylor had to be assisted from the field in the eighth after getting an RBI single.
He appeared to turn his left ankle following his swing and hobbling down the line There was no immediate word on his condition. After Naylor's RBI single in the fifth brought the Guardians within 6-5, Noel, the burly man nicknamed “Big Christmas,” sent an 0-1 pitch from Mlodzinski into the left-field bleachers at 111.2 mph for his 13th homer.
Giménez hit the next pitch into the right-field seats, and his first homer since June 20 gave Cleveland an 8-6 lead. Oneil Cruz drove in three runs and Rowdy Te.