An unlikely hero emerged for the Cleveland Guardians in their game 4 victory over the Detroit Tigers in the American League Division Series.
David Fry did not start the game for the Guardians, but he pinch hit in the 7th innings for Kyle Manzardo and came up huge by hitting a 2-run home run to take the lead 4-3.
Fry was not done there as he came up to the plate again in the top of the 9th inning with teammate Brayan Rocchio on third base with less than 2 outs.
A successful safety squeeze bunt by Fry gave the Guardians an insurance run to make the score 5-3, and it eventually became the winning run.
Guardians beat reporter Mandy Bell reports what Fry told his manager Stephen Vogt before performing the safety squeeze in the 9th.
Stephen Vogt went up to David Fry before his last plate appearance to ask him if he'd feel comfortable executing the safety squeeze.
Fry's response: "I told him I wasn't a very good hitter in high school, so I'm pretty confident; I had to bunt a lot."
— Mandy Bell (@MandyBell02) October 11, 2024
When asked what he told his manager regarding the safety squeeze, Fry replied, “I told him I wasn’t a very good hitter in high school, so I’m pretty confident; I had to bunt a lot.”
The response by Fry appeared to signify that he was calm and collected heading into the at-bat.
He was able to successfully execute the squeeze play and get the important run in for the Guardians, who eventually won by a score of 5-4.
In the series, Fry has 3 hits in 11 at-bats with 1 home run, 1 double, 2 runs scored, 5 runs batted in, 1 stolen base, 1 walk, and 3 strikeouts.
The Guardians will head into Saturday’s game 5 seeking their first American League Championship Series appearance since losing the World Series in 2016.
NEXT: Insider Announces Game 5 Starter For Guardians