It sure is nice when the team for whom I root scores runs.
The Guardians began tonight’s game with more of the same – three scoreless and quiet innings for their offense. Fortunately, Slade Cecconi is on a heater right now and kept the Mariners’ bats quiet for the first three as well. Seven groundball outs in those three frames, four on the cutter, one on the sinker, one on the curveball and one on the four-seamer. His new pitch mix approach as outlined by our Jakhob Clady continues to work.
Then,
the blessed fourth inning happened. After Travis Bazzana and Kyle Manzardo singled, Kahlil “I Am The RBI Man You Are Looking For” Watson mashed double to score Bazzana:
Then Cooper Ingle picked a GREAT time to get his FIRST MAJOR LEAGUE HIT!
Good, aggressive at-bat and he hit a CHANGEUP, folks. We can use some changeup hitters, as you may know.
Brayan Rocchio added an RBI double to score Bazzana in the 5th after Travis had singled. Watson, Gabriel Arias and Petey Halpin had the three hardest-hit balls today for Cleveland. It was fun to see Kwan in the leadoff spot today but I really think he needs to stay 7-9.
Everything went smoothly from there as Slade Cecconi pitched six scoreless allowing only three hits and two walks… until the 8th. Sean Armstrong had only a 2.19 ERA/2.54 FIP since rejoining the team on May 21st. But, he was very bad today, giving up a HBP, a single and then a crushed three-run homer to Randy Arozarena. So, Vogt had to go to Hunter Gaddis whom he wanted to rest, having pitched him yesterday. But Gaddy Daddy got the outs and passed the baton to Cade Smith for the 9th.
It was a little hairy, but Cade got it done, getting Arozarena for the last out with two runners on. Guardians win, 4-3.
If the Guardians can find a way to win this series tomorrow, it will be the first series they have won since José Ramírez got hurt. Speaking of hurt, Watson left the game late and he had jammed his hand/wrist trying to make a catch a couple innings earlier. Hopefully our star slugger is ok. Vogt said his removal was precautionary and he will be checked out but should be good to go. Of course… he said the same thing about Angel Martinez.
Oh, Erik Sabrowski looked good and got his guy on a K, so hopefully he is getting back to normal.
