Over a 162 game season, every team goes through high and lows, often writing off a loss to “just one game” as you move onto the next. I’m maybe one of the biggest offenders of that, as I use the 162 as an excuse to defend Steven Vogt, a manger who only knows division titles. But with just 16 games left, there’s no more time for moral victories, learning lessons, “throw it away and move on” and “coulda/woulda/shoulda”. There are only 5 series left after tonight… It’s time to go get a Playoff birth.
After splitting the first two games at Camden Yards (with nearly no help from their starting pitching), it was time for the Guardians to take care of business and leave Baltimore with a series victory. Foster Griffin would take the mound for Cleveland, coming off of another ~just fine~ start where he scattered 8 hits across 6 innings but only gave up 3 runs. It was enough to keep the Guards in the game long enough to mount a comeback. In Griffin’s last 5 starts, he’s gone exactly 5 or 6 innings, giving up run totals of 1, 1, 2, 2 and 3. The climbing run total is less than ideal, but excluding that first start vs NYM, he’s held a 3.00 ERA in Cleveland. Sign me up for those results.
Chase DeLauter returned to the lineup tonight as well- a sight for sore eyes after missing the last 4 games with a wrist injury- and immediately made up for lost time with a 2run homer in the 1st. It gave the Guardians their second straight early lead and this one before an out was even recorded. It was especially great seeing Chase work the count full, fight off pitches until he got what he wanted and deposited one into the RF seats, for his 14th Homerun on the season.
For what it’s worth, I love the way Cleveland has handled his work load in his rookie season. When healthy, they made him an everyday player, often DHing but not many days off. If there was anything remotely concerning, they sat him. If there was a blowout, they would take him out even without an injury. They treated him like he was the most important player on the team and rightfully so.
Alright enough wasting time. As bad as the pitching performances were in the first two games, Foster Griffin did his best (worst?) to top them both. After Matt Underwood pointed out how he was ~cruising~ through the first 2(!) innings (big brag, huh?), the 3rd inning may have been the worst from a Guardians starter this season.
Here’s how the 3rd went: single, infield single, pickoff turned throwing error, 148 foot double (runs), single, walk, HBP (run), single (run), sac fly (run), single (run), single (run), PITCHING CHANGE.
That’s how it’s done people. Through 2 innings, Griffin allowed 1 BB and struck out 4 on 26 pitches. He looked like the All Star SP that we thought we acquired at the Trade Deadline. Then he faced 10 batters in the 3rd and only retired 1, which was on a Sac Fly. Unlike Cantillo, his control was fine. Unlike Bibee, he wasn’t getting hit hard. But he just could not buy an out as 7 guys found grass.
The Orioles would tack on another after Griffin exited and the Guardians were down 8-2 to start the 3rd inning.
If you turned it off, no one would blame you. There’s no fandom bible that says you have to watch 162 games. It doesn’t make you better or worse if you turn off the game to live a normal life. Me? Well tonight would’ve been an ideal night to turn off the game; neither my 3 year old or my 7 week old had any interest in sleep this evening. In fact, I think my toddler thinks “in play, run(s)” is a Doctor Suess-ism!
2 runs, 8 runs, have fun? No funs!
Do you have October plans?
Are you to become Angry Football Man?
Pull out your hair, to you I dare!
Watch ball fly in the air, I swear!
…Ok that’s enough of that.
Somehow, 8-2 was not the end of this game. The Guardians, knowing that they really are running out of time, refused to quit in this one. With 2 outs in the 6th, Bazz took a HBP and Nathaniel Lowe added a 2run Homer, followed by 2 out hits from Genao and Bailey to make it a 3 run game.
Unfortunately, the Guards had a chance to stop the bleeding completely, but a dropped 3rd out by Jose on a foul ball would lead to a solo Homerun on the very next pitch (Coby Mayo truthers having a hell of a series btw). Then in the 8th, the Guardians would put the first 2 on with Nathaniel Lowe batting, but were unable to get a run home, putting an end to any comeback attempt. Guards would also put 2 on in the 9th without scoring, leading one to wonder what could’ve been a big night if a few things broke the right way. Orioles held on to win 9-5. What a way to make a livin.
Jose Ramirez. Your’s, Mine, ours, and everyone’s favorite Guardian ever. A bad 5+ months (they call that a season) is never gonna change that. But both at the plate, and in the field, he’s held us back as he battles through this hamate recovery. Not for a lack of trying or focus or leadership- just his body not being what he needs it to be. He’s such a Champ and I really do love him- but it’s a tough watch out there. Almost as tough as this inevitable “age/possible decline conversation pill” is to swallow. But that can wait til this offseason.
The Guardians have an off day tomorrow as they travel to Minnesota for a 3 game set this weekend, followed by a 3 game home series with the White Sox before an off day next Thursday. They will need to sweep both teams if they want the tie breaker over them, including a pivotal tie breaker with Chicago for the Central. I think anything short of 5-1 won’t be good enough if they want to win the division, and honestly, the Wild Card too.
Suffice it to say, this time next week, we should know if this team is going to the playoffs or not. It’s enough to drive you CRAZY IF YOU LET IT!!!
