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Guyer’s left-mashing ability on display with pinch-hit
- Updated: September 8, 2016
CLEVELAND — It was a scenario that might not have developed earlier in the season. In the fifth inning on Wednesday night, the Astros called a left-hander out of the bullpen, and Indians manager Terry Francona did not hesitate to summon Brandon Guyer off the bench as a pinch-hitter.
With rosters expanded in September, an in-game chess match like that one can occur earlier than usual within a game.
“In July, when you have a three- or four-man bench, it’s hard to do that,” Francona said. “Now, you can. But, the guy has to be ready to hit, and [Guyer] is always ready.”
That scenario was also one of the reasons Cleveland acquired Guyer from Tampa Bay on Aug. 1 in exchange for a pair of Minor Leaguers. Not only did the Indians envision him manning left field on days that a lefty started for the opposing team, but the Tribe wanted him available in a pinch, given his propensity for production against southpaws.
On Wednesday night, Guyer lived up to his reputation, pulling a pitch from Houston lefty Kevin …
