All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez is the best player on the Cleveland Guardians, but Austin Hedges might be the most important person in the clubhouse.
The backup catcher is revered by teammates and trusted by manager Stephen Vogt to test the temperature in the room.
Hedges had his first two-hit game of the season and drove in a run on Thursday as Cleveland beat the Miami Marlins 9-4 to move within a half-game of the third and final American League wild-card spot.
The Guardians continue their homestand on Friday, opening a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves. Cleveland left-hander Joey Cantillo (3-2, 4.11 ERA) will take on Braves right-hander Hurston Waldrep (2-0, 1.54).
“It was only a matter of time before we got on a roll because we play such good baseball,” Hedges said. “This group is resilient and this group wants to win so bad. So many guys in this room know how close we were last year, and they know we’ve got more work to do.”
Hedges served in the same capacity behind Bo Naylor last season, when the Guardians brought him back for a second stint with a two-year contract and ultimately advanced to the AL Championship Series. He is only hitting .143 through 51 games this season, but his worth can’t be measured by numbers.
Cleveland fans understand that, as well, and they were chanting his name when he batted in the seventh inning on Thursday. Hedges delivered a sacrifice fly, scoring the contest’s final run. The Guardians rallied from a 3-0 deficit to register their 23rd win in 32 games.
“That was awesome, I mean, to feel the love from these fans, it’s special,” Hedges said. “I haven’t been the best in the batter’s box, and for them to pick me up there and give me a little extra motivation is one of those little moments that I’ll never forget.”
Cantillo has made seven starts since being recalled from Triple-A Columbus on July 3, going 2-2 with a 4.36 ERA. He will face Atlanta for the first time, but he is 1-0 with a 5.89 ERA in 10 interleague appearances (two starts).
Waldrep has won each of his two big-league outings this year, totaling 11 2/3 innings while giving up a combined two runs in a relief win over the Cincinnati Reds on Aug. 2 and a home victory in a start against the Marlins on Saturday. None of his four career outings (three starts) have been against Cleveland.
Atlanta scored two runs in the eighth inning to grab a 4-3 road win over the New York Mets on Thursday. Michael Harris II doubled in Eli White with the tying tally, and Ozzie Albies brought Harris home with another double for the go-ahead run.
The perennially contending Braves are playing out the string, sitting 11 games out of a National League postseason position and 15 games under .500, relegating them to celebrating individual accomplishments.
Matt Olson played in his 741st consecutive game in the finale against the Mets, giving the veteran first baseman the 13th-longest streak in major league history.
“I try to play the game the right way and come out here and compete the right way,” said Olson, who went 1-for-4 with a walk. “I just seamlessly fit in here because it’s such a storied franchise. The tradition precedes me.”
–Field Level Media
