Coming off of a loss, dropping game one of the series against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Guardians announced that they would be calling up top prospect Travis Bazzana for today’s game.
Bazzana’s family flew in from Australia to see him start at second base, hitting seventh in the line up.
Tanner Bibee had another uninspiring, but solid start while his Tampa Bay counterpart had an excellent night. Bibee went 5.0 innings with 4H/1R/3BB/6Ks. He really struggled to keep the pitch count low during at bats
while Nick Martinez was lights out against the Guards. Going into the 5th inning, Bibee’s pitch count was at 76 while Martinez was at 38. Thankfully Bibee held the Rays 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position, but lacked run support from the Cleveland offense. Going into tonight’s game, Bibee had no run support in 4 of his 6 starts this season – the second lowest in the league.
In the top of the first, Bo Naylor gave Bibee a nice defensive assist, getting an out in a rundown.
José Ramírez added a defensive highlight of his own with a stellar throw to Kyle Manzardo.
Tim Herrin replaced Bibee to start the sixth inning. Herrin pitched 1.2 innings, only allowing one base runner via a walk. Connor Brogdon pitched 1.1 innings, allowing a single hit.
Nick Martinez carved up the Guardians offense, keeping them to 4 base runners in his 7.0 innings of work. Chase DeLauter and Daniel Schneemann both hit a single and Steven Kwan notched a double along the right field line to account for the 3 hits allowed. Travis Bazzana reached base in his first MLB game with a walk in the bottom of the eighth. Bazz’s walk finally forced Martinez out of the game and into Tampa’s bullpen. The Guards started to warm up finally. Rhys Hoskins, pinch hitting for Bo Naylor, drew a walk off of Rays pitcher Ian Seymour. Brayan Rocchio laid down a sac bunt and the Rays intentionally walked Steven Kwan to load the bases. Chase DeLauter struck out swinging, but brought up José Ramírez with . José hit a fly out to the deepest part of the park that would have probably been a grand slam if it was 5-10°F warmer.
Peyton Pallette closed out the game, walking a batter and striking out a batter.
The team sparked a rally in the bottom of the ninth. With two outs, Angel Martínez hit a double to right field. After taking two balls, Kevin Cash intentionally walked Travis Bazzana. George Valera pinch hit for the final at bat of the night. Valera fouled off the first pitch, took a strike, then swung on a fastball high in the zone.
After tonight the Guardians are 11-4 following a loss. Here’s to hoping that record improves tomorrow and that Travis Bazzana gets another high leverage at bat.
