CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) -
Despite blowing past the Baltimore Orioles in the first two games of the series, The Cleveland Guardians may have just run out of juice after struggling at the plate in Saturday night's 7-4 loss.
Things looked promising in the bottom of the third inning when Angel Martinez put the Guardians up 2-0 with a 2-run shot off of Zach Eflin (6.1IP, 5H, 2ER, 1BB, 3SO). The middle innings were slow for the Guardians until Jose Ramires tried to lead a comeback, blasting a 2-run home run in the bottom of the eighth, his 29th of the year, pushing the Guardians to 125 homers on the season, surpassing the 2023 total. However, at that point in the game the Orioles had already built up the 7 insurance runs, and the Guardians were unable to get another run across the plate.
Joey, meet Progressive Field- Joey Cantillo got his second start for the club, but his first in Cleveland. The lefty made his MLB debut in Philadelphia on July 28, allowing three runs across just 3.1 innings pitched. Tonight, Cantillo was able to go through four innings, but still had struggles with a high pitch count early in the game. “He’s getting ahead maybe 0-1, 0-2, and then kinda letting them back in back into the count 3-2, and having a tough time putting them away,” said Vogt. “I thought he threw the ball well overall, just a little high pitch count and they got to him.”
Cantillo was able to keep the first three innings scoreless, even retiring 10 batters in a row after giving up a leadoff double in the top of the first, four of which were strikeouts. Things went astray in the fourth, giving up four singles and two earned runs over 30 pitches.
“I felt like I probably attacked guys a little better in the first time through (the Orioels line-up) than the second time through. I think I fell behind a little more the second time through. I had to throw some more pitches, just behind in the count, which your margin of error is going to be smaller," said Cantillo.
Cantillo was relieved by Pedro Avila (1.2,3H,0R,1BB) after giving up a lead-off double to Jackson Holiday in the fifth.
Clase reliever of the month - Last night, Emanuel Clase was selected as the AL Reliever of the Month for July, finishing the month going 8-for-8 with a 0.82 ERA in 11 appearances. The All-Star has tallied 20-straight saves dating back to May 20, the second longest active streak in the league behind Astros Josh Harder (22SV). Manager Steven Vogt gave credit to Clase for his eagerness to be on the mound for this team, regardless of the situation he’s in.
“A lot of closers, they don’t want to pitch unless it’s a safe situation, but for him he wants to stay sharp and he wants to stay in the game. We could bring him in in a 5-0 game going into an off day because he wants to pitch and end the game for the team," said Vogt.
Bibee return update- Tanner Bibee was originally scheduled for tonight’s start, but got scratched from the lineup earlier in the week due to a sore shoulder. Bibee has been an anchor for the Guardians starting rotation, going 9-4 with a 3.48 ERA while allowing 102 hits and registering 132 strikeouts over 121.1 innings of work. Stephen Vogt said the team isn’t too worried with his shoulder, having dealt with some soreness earlier this year as well, but the righty is seeing the team doctor to decide his next steps.
CC HOF - At Saturday night's game, former Indians pitcher, CC Sabthia was inducted into the Cleveland Guardians Hall of Fame. Sabathia was selected by Cleveland back in the first round of the 1998 Draft and spent seven full seasons with the franchise. During his time in Cleveland, the lefty went 106-71 with a 3.83 ERA, earning the 2007 Cy Young Award and 3 All-Star game selections. Sabathia was traded mid-season in 2008 to the Brewers, then spent 11 seasons with the Yankee’s where he ended his career after the 2019 season. Sabathia became the 48th member to receive the honor. While thanking the family, friends, coaches, fans, and others during his induction speech, Sabathia gave an ode to the city of Cleveland saying, “coming here at 17-years old, I would always tell people, I was born and raised in California, but I grew up here in Cleveland.”
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Double W, Triple A- All things looked encouraging down in Columbus for the Clippers double header games against the Syracuse Mets on Saturday night. Alex Cobb made this first rehab start since joining the organization last week. He showed no signs of struggle, despite dealing with injury setbacks this season. The 36 yr-old pitched through 4.2 innings, giving up three hits with a single earned run, and striking out five. The Clippers went on to win the first game of the night 7-1.
Tristan Mckenzie, who has continued to struggle on the mound, found command for his start in the second game of the night. Mckenzie didn’t allow a single run through his six innings on the mound, only walking three Syracuse batters.
Up next- The Guardians finish their four game set with the Orioles on Sunday at 1:40, going for the clubs third straight series win. RHP Gavin Williams (1-3,3.72) vs RHP Corbin Burnes (11-4,2.47). Cleveland, getting no break, jumps into a three game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday at 6:40.
