Manzardo started at first base and went 1-for-3 with a walk and a grand slam in a 6-5 win in Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Reds. He went 0-for-1 as a pinch hitter in the nightcap.
Manzardo belted his 12th homer of the season and first career grand slam in the first inning, and it nearly didn't happen. A call that he'd been hit by a pitch was overturned on review prior to Manzardo going deep. It turned out to be the key contribution in Cleveland snapping a five-game losing streak. The slumping first baseman entered the day with a .154 average (4-for-26) and 12 strikeouts since the break and is batting just .210 for the season. With the team in the hunt for a division title or wild-card playoff spot, it may scour the market for a first baseman; Guardians first basemen are hitting a league-low .194 with 13 homers (t-23rd) and 45 RBI (27th).