With another series on the line, the Guardians faced the Blue Jays in Game 3, behind starting pitcher Slade Cecconi.
Slade Cecconi struggled in the bottom of the first, giving up two hits, a walk, and two runs and driving his pitch count high for the starter. However, he tightened up for the next four innings and only allowed two hits and kept his pitch count to 70 pitches thrown. The sixth inning bookended the start with similar results as the first. Two hits and a two-run home run gave the lead
back to the Blue Jays. Slade recorded two more outs before being replaced by Tim Herrin to retire the side. Slade finished his day having gone 5.2IP/6H/4R/1BB/5Ks.
The Guardians were looking to start the game with some momentum. Steven Kwan hit a lead off single, but Angel Martínez grounded into a force out, leaving Kwan out and Martínez on first base. With two outs and Rhys Hoskins up to bat, Angel attempted to steal second. He was called out and the team challenged the call, but it was ultimately upheld. This retired the side and took the Guards challenge away in the first inning.
Both teams were held scoreless for the second, third, and fourth innings. The bottom of the Cleveland lineup pieced together some offense to tie it up. Juan Brito and Austin Hedges hit back-to-back singles to put runners on the corner. Brayan Rocchio slapped a single of his own to center field to score Brito. Kwan hit into a double play, putting Hedgey on third. Angle Martínez doubled to left, scoring Hedgey and tying the game.
The Guardians didn’t have an answer for the two runs the Blue Jays put up in the sixth. There were two defensive gems today that are worth highlighting.
Rocchio had a great snag at short in the bottom of the third to end the inning.
Angel Martínez made an incredible jumping catch to get Vlad Guerrero Jr. out in the bottom of the eighth.
The Guardians return home to face Tampa Bay in a 3 game series before heading out west for the weekend.
