CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It took a little negotiating, but Gabriel Arias secured possession of the baseball he hit Wednesday for his first big league home run in a 2-1 win for the Guardians in extra innings at Progressive Field.
Arias smashed Tyler Glasnow’s pitch so hard to the bleachers in left that the ball clanked off a seat and back onto the field between Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena and a Guardians ball boy.
But before anybody from Cleveland’s dugout could say anything, Arozarena had flipped the ball into the stands to a fan.
Guardians staff immediately tracked the fan down and mediated an exchange. Arias would supply a hat, an autographed Andrés Giménez baseball and four tickets to a future Guards game in return for Arias’ ball.
The rookie, playing in just his ninth big league game, described hitting the home run as “incredible.”
“It feels like a big payout of all the work I did previously with Victor (Rodrίguez) the (assistant) hitting coach, because that was the plan -- to be short and be quick to the ball,” Arias said via interpreter Agustin Rivero after the game. “It feels really great when you get that result that quickly. I’m especially proud of myself and happy with the result.”
Arias has now reached base safely in each of his three games since rejoining the club for his third stint on Sept. 21.
In those games, he is batting .300 with a 1.262 OPS including a triple, a home run, four RBI and three steals. Prior to his recall, Arias batted just .154 over his first eight major league games.
More than anything, Arias said it feels incredible to contribute to a team victory. His sacrifice bunt in the 10th set up Amed Rosario’s walk-off RBI single to win it for Cleveland.
“That’s the payout of the routines and the work that you put in before the game,” Arias said.
Manager Terry Francona was pleased that Arias was able to execute when called upon late in a long game that featured another rain delay of more than an hour.
“We don’t do it that often,” Francona said of Arias’ bunt. “But sometimes when you do the little things, big things happen.”
Getting Arias on the board with a 403-foot home run in the third was another positive development Wednesday for Francona.
“He hit that ball, you know, he’s been on our radar for so long, and that’s not going to define his career, but it sure is nice to see,” Francona said.
Arias was sure to mention the support he has received dating back to spring training from veteran infielders Rosario and José Ramírez, who have taken it upon themselves to guide the rookie every time he has returned to the club this season.
“We had a conversation when we clinched in Texas, that conversation goes back to spring training,” Arias said. “I’m really excited to be around them and to be able to learn how they play the game.”
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