Today’s Mother’s Day matinee gave us fans the first look at the newest Cleveland Guardian, Patrick Bailey and Tony Arnerich as a manager. Bailey got his first start as catcher for the club, hitting 8th and catching for Gavin Williams. Stephen Vogt was unable to manage today’s game due to illness, prompting Arnerich to step in. Gavin came into today’s game 5-2. Williams had a textbook start to the game, only allowing one run through the fourth inning. On a day where José is DH-ing, it is always nice
when the defense still backs up the pitcher. In the top of the fourth, the Guards turned an impressive double play to retire the side.
The fifth inning saw a mini implosion from Gavin. In the top of the fifth, Gavin gave up 6 hits, allowing the Minnesota Twins to score 4 runs. He went 1-2-3 in the sixth inning, finishing his day 6.0IP/10H/5R/1BB/6K on 101 pitches.
Cleveland offense peppered in some runs, once again struggling to capitalize with runners in scoring position. Going into the bottom of the seventh, the team was 3-for-8 with runners in scoring position and stranded a base runner in every inning except the first.
The Guardians’ first run came in the bottom of the third on three single. Brayan Rocchio hit a lead off single to right. Chase DeLauter reached on a single and was follow up by José Ramírez hitting a RBI single.
In the bottom of the fifth, with two outs, the offense pieced together another run. Kyle Manzardo drew a walk and scored on back-to-back singles from Daniel Schneemann and Angel Martínez. Travis Bazzana drew a walk, loading them up for nothing to happen. Patrick Bailey struck out to end the inning.
In the bottom of the sixth, yet another patch work run crossed the plate. Much like the third inning, Brayan Rocchio and Chase DeLauter manufactured a run on back-to-back singles.
Patrick Bailey did get to flash his highly touted defense in the top of the seventh. Trevor Larnach was caught stealing 2nd base with a throw from Bailey to Rocchio.
Franco Aleman made his major league debut only a few days after his call up and proved to be everything he was expected to be. Aleman pitched two innings of much needed scoreless baseball. Aleman allowed two hits and struck out a batter.
The Guardians continued their piecemeal scoring attempt in the bottom of the eighth. Arnerich made the call to pinch hit David Fry for Patrick Bailey as the Twins turn to RHP Luis García. It was the right choice as David Fry hit a lead off single. Brayan Rocchio continued his hot hitting day, slapping another single of his own. Rocchio went 4-for-4 on the day with 3 singles and a double. A still struggling Steven Kwan laid down a perfect sac bunt to move both runners to scoring position. CDL hit into a ground out to first, but it allowed Fry to score, bringing the Guards within one run.
Tim Herrin was tasked with closing the game. The lefty got himself in a bit of a high leverage situation, but shut it down and maintained his 0.00 ERA. A single, sac bunt, and stolen base had the runner on third with two outs and Byron Buxton up to bat. Arenrich learned from last night’s Buxton beat down and wisely intentionally walked the Twin. The final out, Victor Caratini, flied out to Chase DeLauter who caught the ball on the warning track.
Schneemann, Angel, and Bazz went 1-2-3 to end the game, adding another loss to the Guardians’ record against one of the worst bullpens in the American League. The Guardians scored 4 runs on 11 hits and 6 walks.
