Chase DeLauter’s Impact: Guardians Takeaways

A Historic Home Run in a Chilly Game

SEATTLE — How did Chase DeLauter hit a 97 mph fastball over the left field wall on a cold and damp Saturday night at T-Mobile Park? That was the question being asked a lot as the Guardians concluded their four-game season-opening series with the Mariners on Sunday afternoon.

All-Star closer Andres Munoz threw a 2-2 fastball up and away from the left-handed hitting DeLauter in the 10th inning of the Guardians’ 6-5 win. The moment was unforgettable, not just for the game itself but for the way DeLauter executed his swing.

DeLauter said he’d been hunting the fastball all night with no luck. He was 0 for 4 with three strikeouts. “I was on the fastball all night. Unfortunately, it really didn’t go my way,” said DeLauter. “But I stuck with the plan, got a heater up and just went after it.”

Manager’s Perspective

Manager Stephen Vogt has spent a lot of time at T-Mobile Park. He coached for the Mariners in 2023 and played there many times as a member of the division rival A’s. “That was impressive,” said Vogt. “The ball doesn’t go out that way, especially at 10 o’clock at night. But he can hit. He’s shown that at every level.”

In Cleveland’s locker room Saturday night after the game, veterans Rhys Hoskins and Austin Hedges marveled at the swing. “Munoz meant to throw it up and away,” said Hoskins, “but he still hit it.” David Fry added, “most balls drop when they’re hit that way. That ball was still going up.”

Unusual Weather Impact

Vogt did say he was surprised to see so many home runs and deep fly balls hit in the first three games of the series in the chilly temperatures in Seattle. DeLauter hit four in the first three games, while the Mariners hit seven. “The ball dies in this park at this time of year,” said Vogt. “I’ve been shocked at the number of home runs both teams have hit … It’s definitely weird to see this many home runs hit here at this time of the year.”

Tanner Bibee Update

Tanner Bibee seems on schedule to make his start Tuesday against the Dodgers. After leaving Thursday’s season opener after five innings because of a sore right shoulder, Bibee threw a 26-pitch bullpen session Saturday. “I feel good,” said Bibee on Sunday morning. “I’ll play catch and I would think they’d tell me something Monday.”

Said Vogt, “Everything has been trending very well. We’ll get an update after he plays catch.” The Dodgers are starting Shohei Ohtani on Tuesday.

A Close Call and a Save

Connor Brogdon earned his fourth career save and his first in the American League on Saturday night in the 10th inning. The Guardians scored three times in the 10th — two of the runs coming on DeLauter’s homer — to give Brogdon a 6-3 lead. Brogdon, with the automatic runner on second, retired the first batter, but gave up a two-run homer to Luke Raley to make it 6-5.

“I looked at it as we’re still in the lead here just don’t do it again,” said Brogdon. Brogdon was true to his word. He struck out the next two batters for the save.