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'We don't quit': Guardians building a reputation for comeback wins under Stephen Vogt
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- 'We don't quit': Guardians building a reputation for comeback wins under Stephen Vogt
CLEVELAND — "We don't quit!"
That was the battle cry the Guardians were yelling as they returned to the clubhouse after yet another comeback win during a week that included a number of close games and furious rallies.
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The week started with a total solar eclipse. Several instances of the Guardians punching their way out of a deficit followed.
The big one was in Sunday's homestand finale, against the New York Yankees . The Guardians trailed at different points throughout the entire day, but their backs were never against the wall more than in the 10th inning, after the Yankees scored twice in the top of the 10th and took a 7-5 lead.
The Cleveland Guardians celebrate their 10th-inning win against the New York Yankees, April 14, 2024, in Cleveland.
The Guardians fought back, scoring three runs in the bottom of the 10th to win it in walk-off fashion via Andres Gimenez's sacrifice fly to right field.
The win improved the Guardians' record to 10-5, momentarily atop the American League Central standings in the first few weeks of new manager Stephen Vogt 's debut at the helm.
Guardians second baseman Andres Gimenez hits a walk-off sacrifice fly to win the game against the New York Yankees during the 10th inning, April 14, 2024, in Cleveland.
"After a tough day like yesterday, we get down early and then we punch right back and consistently, we're not going to quit," Vogt said. "That's one of the things I heard the boys yelling on the way back up to the clubhouse — 'We don't quit, we don't quit.' That's what this group's about."
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It wasn't just Sunday. The Guardians have quickly shown a knack for resiliency.
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt (right) reacts after a two-run home run by catcher Bo Naylor (23) in the fourth inning against the Chicago White Sox, April 10, 2024, in Cleveland.
On Tuesday, the Guardians dug themselves a five-run deficit in the first inning against the Chicago White Sox , but came back to erase it. They went on to ultimately lose that game, but the Guardians pointed to it as another example of what they want to be: A team that never relents.
"I loved it. I mean, that's what this team does. We fight, and these guys never quit," Vogt said after the loss. "I think [ Austin Hedges ] in the first inning, we were down five, [he's saying], 'We're winning this game.' And everybody's like, 'Oh yeah, of course we are.' That was the mentality."
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt, left, and third baseman Jose Ramirez watch from the dugout during the third inning of the home opener against the Chicago White Sox, Monday, April 8, 2024.
The Guardians didn't end up quite pulling it off, but they were close. The next night, they did accomplish that feat.
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After again falling behind five runs in Wednesday's game, this time, the Guardians erased the deficit and then went on to win the game via a Bo Naylor single in the 10th inning .
"As much as we are resilient, we're definitely up for any challenge, any task," Naylor said. "And when you have odds like that against you, I feel like all this group does is get fired up and want to get the job done that much more. I think it speaks volumes to the culture that this team has created, and just how we go out there and fight every at-bat, every inning and every pitch."
The total solar eclipse will be the most memorable thing from this past week. Guardians fans also will remember Shane Bieber fighting back tears discussing his injury that ended his 2024 season before it really began.
Guardians shortstop Gabriel Arias gets high-fives from teammates following his solo home run during the fifth inning against the New York Yankees, April 14, 2024, in Cleveland.
But on the field, the Guardians are building on not only their win-loss record, but the type of reputation they hope to uphold, one that no lead for an opponent is safe.
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Of course, they'd prefer to simply not have to erase five-run deficits every day. But they feel if they have to, they will.
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Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis1@gannett.com. Read more about the Guardians at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/cleveland-guardians. Follow him on Threads at @ByRyanLewis .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Guardians beat Yankees in another test of resiliency with Stephen Vogt
