"Got his ass saved by Fry" - Fans mock Emmanuel Clase flexing accolades after Guardians closer nearly blows ALCS Game 3 against Yankees
Emmanuel Clase and the Cleveland Guardians survived a late flurry from the New York Yankees in a thrilling come-from-behind win at Progressive Field on Thursday in ALCS Game 3.
Although the Guardians clawed their way back into the series to make it 2-1 after a 7-5 win, the All-Star closer came under scrutiny for his performance. Clase, who was arguably the most dominant closer in the regular season, was tapped for two home runs in the eighth inning, surrendering his team's two-run lead in the game.
However, the Guardians hitters came to the rescue of Clase as David Fry's walk-off home run in the 10th inning helped the hosts to a dramatic win. Following the win, Emmanuel Clase showed off his accolades in his Instagram story, seemingly hitting back at the critics questioning his credentials.
MLB fans mocked Clase's actions, feeling the underwhelming performance got to his head.
"You can tell he’s hurting," wrote a fan.
"Bro got his ass saved by Fry. Those accomplishments didn’t help when needed the most," wrote another fan.
"Your team just had one of the most insane wins of the postseason, which you blew the lead in, and this is what you’re doing after the game?" wrote a perplexed fan.
Several Yankees fans reacted to the video, saying the back-to-back home runs from Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton 'broke' him despite the Guardians' win.
"The series is back on, we broke their closer," wrote a Yankees fan.
"We know how this one ends," mocked another fan.
I genuinely think this is the most insecure post I have EVER seen from a professional athlete," alleged a fan.
Emmanuel Clase has the backing of Guardians manager Stephen Vogt
Emmanuel Clase finished the regular season with an impressive 47 saves, the second most by a closer this year, and a league-best 0.61 ERA. However, his postseason hasn't turned out the way he would have wanted.
After allowing just five earned runs in the regular season, another league-best, Clase has six earned runs in the postseason. He conceded a three-run home run in Game 2 of the ALDS and two home runs against the Yankees on Thursday.
However, he has the backing of his manager, Steven Vogt. Following Clase's underwhelming performance, Vogt said (MLB.com):
“You kind of go, ‘What just happened? Emmanuel has been perfect. We couldn't have asked for anything more from Emmanuel all year, and he is going to be right back out there in the ninth tomorrow night. He's human.”
It wasn't just Emmanuel Clase who struggled from the mound as his counterpart Luke Weaver, who has also been impressive with his bullpen duties, blew the save for the Yankees in the ninth inning before Clay Holmes conceded the walk-off shot.