One game behind the first place Tigers, Joey Cantillo had the start and the Guards took on the Twins for Game 4 of the series.
Steven Kwan kicked things off with a bang, straying from his recent habit of scoring with two outs and runners in scoring position. Kwan took two balls to start the game before smacking a four-seamer 373 feet to right field to put the Guardians on.
George Valera kept the momentum going, drawing a walk. Kyle Manzardo hit a one-out long single to move Valera to third base. Bo
Naylor hit a sac fly to put the Guards up 2-0 in the first inning.
In the bottom of the first, Cantillo got out of the inning with a rare batter interference call to retire Kody Clemens. Cantillo gave up a run in the bottom of the third on a double and a long single scored Byron Buxton to cut Cleveland’s lead in half. The Twins offense showed a lot of life against Joey Cantillo. In the bottom of the fifth Cantillo loaded up the bases with only one out forcing Vogt to go to the well rested bullpen early. Cantillo ended his day having pitched 4.1IP, 4H, 1R/ER, 2BB, 5K on 75 pitches. Getting pulled when he did, continued the streak of games that the starting pitching gave up 2 or fewer runs.
Erik Sabrowski came on to finish off the fifth with bases loaded. He got two easy pop ups to leave them loaded and retire the side. Sabrowski started the sixth inning getting two outs and giving up a double. Vogt turned to Matt Festa to get the final out of the inning. Festa gave up a home run, his 4th allowed home run of the season, that put the Twins up by a run. Festa retired the next batter quickly, but the damage was already done and the Guards were now working from behind. In the bottom of the seventh, they turned to Tim Herrin to make quick outs. Herrin got the first two out quickly, but back-to-back singles had runners on the corners. With a pinch hitter in the box, Cleveland went to Hunter Gaddis. Hunter Gaddis gave up a three-run home run to put Minnesota up by four runs.
Zak Kent pitched the eighth, taking on two strikeouts before giving up a double along the right field line. He worked out of the inning on the next batter.
The Guardians couldn’t rally, but honestly I can’t blame them. A seven game sweep, with a double header, on the road would be a herculean task for any team to accomplish. As long as they can go into the off day tomorrow ready to reset and take on the Tigers, they are still in this.
