Gavin Williams had to work a bit extra this outing, throwing 103 pitches in 5.0 innings. He allowed 3R/2ER on six hits and three walks, striking out six batters. The unearned run for Gavin came in the top of the third. A throwing error by Brayan Rocchio allowed Josh Naylor to score. Shawn Armstrong only worked 0.2 innings, giving up a run on two hits before Vogt went to Tim Herrin. Herrin pitched a full inning of work, only giving up one hit. Matt Festa earned the win, improving to 2-1 on the season.
He worked 1.1 innings, allowing only three base runners via two base hits and one walk. Cade Smith earned the save, but not without some struggles. Cade allowed two hits and only struck out one. A throwing error from Travis Bazzana to Rhys Hoskins scored a runner from third, accounting for Cade’s unearned run.
The Guards offense woke up in the bottom of the fifth. Gabriel Arias, Austin Hedges, and Steven Kwan all hit singles to load the bases. Kwan’s single was called an out, but Cleveland won the challenge earning Kwan another successful bunt single. Travis Bazzana hit a sac fly with no outs and bases loaded to Julio Rodríguez, scoring Gabriel Arias from third.
The Guardians remained down until the bottom of the eighth when the offense put up a five spot. Brayan Rocchio led off with a single. Cooper Ingle drew a walk and Daniel Schneemann singled on a ground to center to score Rocchio.
Patrick Bailey hit a perfect sac bunt that moved both runners with Steven Kwan loading the bases in the next AB via a walk. The Mariners opted for a pitching change to face Travis Bazzana. Bazz popped out for the second out of the inning. Chase DeLauter hit a 2-RBI single to tie it up for the Guardians.
Rhys Hoskins doubled to left field, with the ball falling just fair. Chase DeLauter, with an aggressive send, was on the heels of Steven Kwan to score the go-ahead and insurance runs.
Is the offense back? Were the only pieces we needed a load-bearing Kahlil Watson and Chase DeLauter’s return to turn things around? The Texas Rangers will be in town for a three game series starting tomorrow. Here’s to hoping the team can keep this momentum into the next few series and keep in the fight for first in the AL Central.
