Guardians notes: Andres Gimenez produces breakthrough year after rough debut season in Cleveland

CLEVELAND — Guardians second baseman Andres Gimenez looks like a different player compared to last year. That's because he is. Gimenez, who wasn't ready to play at the major league level in 2021, was more than prepared this season, batting .297 with 17 home runs and 69 RBIs over 146 games and making the All-Star team for the first time in his career. "Last year was his first year with us," manager Terry Francona said of Gimenez, who was part of the Francisco Lindor trade with the Mets. "So not only was he young, English is his second language, with a new team, but he's trying to get two hits every day so he can stay in the lineup. You try to tell guys, 'you don't have to go about it that way,' but I understand it. "This year he's playing to help us win every day and whether it's bunting or hitting or playing second. He's just kind of growing up. When you have those kind of tools, you start to see them come out. Then when guys get confident they start doing things maybe they didn't do before or they do it more, on a more consistent basis." Starting pitcher Triston McKenzie spent time with Gimenez at Triple-A Columbus last year. He isn't surprised to see the new and improved version. "I think the talent's always been there," said McKenzie. "I think everybody's known the talent's always been there. I think this year he's just kind of almost found his footing. I think last year he had a little bit of ups and downs in terms of just him trying to find a little bit of consistency. I think this year he's proved it. "I think defensively he's always been there and I think the bat's been overwhelmingly so productive for us. I think he's always had the potential to be a .300 hitter." Gimenez is off to a rough start in the wild card series, going 1-for-8 with six strikeouts. He whiffed five times in Game 2. New addition Rookie Will Brennan was in the lineup for Game 2, replacing Owen Miller at DH and batting seventh. "He would've played (in Game 1 on Friday) if it wasn't for (Rays left-hander Shane) McClanahan," Francona said of Brennan, who joined the Guardians during the final month of the regular season. "Tried to go with the same lineups we've been going with. Try to balance the urgency of these games, but not try to flip the script too much because that doesn't help anybody." Miller had a tough Game 1, going 0-for-3 and hitting into an inning-ending double play in the fourth. Loud and proud Game 1 on Friday was not a sellout, but it felt like it, with 30,741 fans pretty vocal the entire afternoon. "It was awesome. 12 o'clock game on a Friday, people have to work, and we still filled it up," Quantrill said. "I thought that was awesome, proud of the Cleveland fans." Francona called for fans to show up this weekend, and he got his wish. Game 2 on Saturday was a sellout. "There was a good atmosphere in the ballpark (Friday) and I think guys appreciate it," he said. "It's not always been like that, that's just the reality of it. That's not to criticize anybody, that's just the reality of it." Even opposing manager Kevin Cash allowed himself to enjoy the surroundings. "Yeah, it was cool," he said. "It's what you think. It was pretty louder early on. (Tampa Bay's Jose) Siri comes up and hits a home run, got kind of quiet. (Jose) Ramirez comes up and hits a two-run homer and you could barely hear yourself think. "This place, certainly Cleveland has great fans. It's a sports town. They pull for their teams. In 2013, I think I said (Friday) or the day before, it was the loudest atmosphere I had ever heard when I was sitting in the bullpen leading up to that (wild card) game against the Rays." Veteran presence Despite being designated for assignment at the end of the regular season, reliever Bryan Shaw has chosen to remain with the team on the taxi squad. Shaw, who posted a 5.40 ERA over 60 appearances this year, has served as mentor to Cleveland's young roster all season. Francona said he played cribbage in his office with Shaw before Game 2. "He's got a good influence. I know a lot of people don't see that who aren't around," Francona said of Shaw, who ranks first on Cleveland's all-time list in relief appearances and third behind Hall of Famers Mel Harder and Bob Feller in overall games. "It's pretty cool." Flash dance Francona had an interesting experience on the way home from Game 1 on Friday night. A woman stopped Francona, who thought he was about to get flashed when she lifted her top to expose an "In Tito We Trust" t-shirt. "This lady's yelling at me, and she goes, 'you're the greatest,' and — well, she pulls her shirt up, and I'm like, 'hey, man, I don't want this on camera.' She had a picture of me on her other shirt," Francona said. "But I didn't know that. So I'm kind of going by her being, I hope not rude, but probably not overly gracious. The last thing I need is for that to show up on YouTube or whatever it is." The lady in question was none other than Lacey Reichert, the Amherst Steele softball coach. She replied on Twitter: "Guilty! I did prep him by saying "I'm not flashing you but look at my T-shirt underneath! "In Tito We Trust" with his face on it! Best friends Ramirez had a good relationship with shortstop Francisco Lindor during their time together in Cleveland, but his bond with shortstop Amed Rosario, a fellow Dominican, might be stronger. Ramirez Jokingly offered to pay $40 million of Rosario's salary if the Guardians re-signed him. "It's special. We spend close to 24/7 together," Ramirez said through an interpreter. "We hang out after the games, on the road, we're always in that good communication. For me, the key is having that good communication and to want to spend that time with a teammate. That's why I had the interest to keep playing with him, because I feel like the communication, the way that we interact, is tremendous." Mejia memory Rays catcher Francisco Mejia was a top prospect for Cleveland, spending the first six-plus years of his career with the organization. He played in 12 games for Cleveland before being traded to the Padres during the 2018 season. "It's incredible coming back here," Mejia said. "They're the team that gave me the opportunity. I was able to make my debut here. So it feels really good to come back here and be able to share this moment." Roundin' third At 24 years, 203 days old, Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase became the youngest pitcher in franchise history to record a postseason save Friday in Game 1. Brian Anderson (25 years, 179 days) was the previous youngest, earning a save in Game 4 of the 1997 World Series against the Marlins. … Former Cleveland ace CC Sabathia was in attendance for Game 2. Sabathia works for MLB as special assistant to the commissioner. … Game 3, 4:07 p.m., ESPN; WTAM 1100-AM, WMMS 100.7-FM. Quantrill (11-11, 2.96) vs. TBA. Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him @CAwesomeheimer on Twitter.