CLEVELAND - The Cleveland Guardians avenged Monday night’s loss to the Kansas City Royals with a 5-1 victory over the visitors on Tuesday.
In boosting their record to 50-51 for the season, the Guardians got eight solid innings from right-hander Aaron Civale. In his longest outing of the season, Civale (4-2) allowed five hits and one earned run, while totaling five strikeouts and two walks - as well as saving most of the Cleveland bullpen for the night.
“Every time I go out there as a starter, I’m trying to go as deep into the game as I can,” said Civale. “The more rested our bullpen is, the better they’re going to be whenever they have to go out there and pick us up. It’s always great to have a night like that.”
Guardians manager Terry Francona had praise for Civale after the game, especially towards a double play turned by the pitcher in the bottom of the 8th inning that saved a Royals runner from scoring from third base.
“He’s fun to watch when he pitches like that,” said Francona. “He spins it. He can cut it. He locates his fastball…In the 8th, it’s first and third, and it’s like, ‘Man, I’d like to give [reliever Trevor Stephan] a little wiggle room', and he really handled that ball back to him about as well as you can. Checked the runner, moved his feet, and our guys turned it. Then he gets out of it, so that was terrific.”
Civale’s lone score allowance came in the top of the fifth inning, via a Nicky Lopez RBI single that tied the game at 1-1. However, the Guardians would storm back with three runs in the bottom of the 5th, via a Will Brennen scoring single and a Bo Naylor 2-run home - the second of the night for the rookie catcher, after he tagged Royals right-hander Zack Greinke (1-11) for a solo shot in the bottom of the 3rd inning.
"It was awesome, the way the ball felt off the bat," said Naylor after the win. "[I] pretty much went out there and tried to put up a few good swings, and the results came."
José Ramírez would add an RBI single in the bottom of the 6th inning, allowing for more than enough offensive cushion for Civale and the Guardians.
Emmanuel Clase settled down the Royals (29-74) in order in the top of the 9th inning, in a non-relief effort.
The Guardians will play the Royals in a Wednesday rubber match, beginning at 1:10 p.m. Gavin Williams (1-2, 3.74 ERA) is expected to face Kansas City right-hander Alec Marsh (0-4, 6.20 ERA).