The Cleveland Guardians haven’t swept a home series since the White Sox were in town April 8th-10th. After two close and exciting games Friday and Saturday, the Guards were hoping to bookend the season with another home series sweep.
The game was moving quickly to start, with both sides getting on base but ultimately not crossing home. In the bottom of the third with two outs, Steven Kwan hit a clean double, his 100th career double, to left to put him in scoring position. He didn’t have to hustle
to cross home, Daniel Schneemann hit a home run 408 feet to right center to put the Guards up by 2 in one swing.
Tanner Bibee was looking good going into the fifth inning. He was struggling, again, to put batters away but managed to minimize damage through four. In the top of the fifth J.P. Crawford reached first on a single to left, then scored when Randy Arozarena hit a towering home run to the bleachers that tied the game. Bibee pitched into the seventh. A lead off single and a one out walk triggered the pitching change. Bibee finished the day 6.1IP, 6H, 4R/ER, 2BB, 4K. Stephen Vogt turned to none other than Matt Festa.
After securing the second out, they intentionally walked Cal Raleigh. Julio Rodríguez came up to bat and was struck out in three pitches. Wait, no, that’s not right. What would be strike three was called a ball and on pitch six of the at bat Rodríguez singled to Schneemann who threw to first for the easy out. Wait, no, that’s not right either. What should have been an easy out was called safe. Cleveland challenged the play and the call on the field was upheld. Two runs scored, giving Seattle the lead. Cleveland got out of the seventh with a great pick off of Cal Raleigh at second base.
Kolby Allard came on in the top of the eight for Cleveland. Pitching through the air show noise after 8 days since his last appearance, Allard went 2.0IP striking out one and preventing any base runners.
Cleveland offense fizzled out after the third inning homer. Not a single Cleveland batter reached base after the third inning. The Guardians couldn’t complete the sweep and head out to Boston with the hopes of playoffs fading with each loss. The Guards are now 4.0 games back from the Wild Card spot.
