Orioles 3 – Guardians 6: Are We Having Fun Again?

Guardians take Game 2!

After a fun win last night against the Orioles, the Cleveland Guardians turned to Joey Cantillo in Game 2 of the 4 game series.

Cantillo started off looking a little shaky. He got out of the first inning cleanly, but not without exceeding 20 pitches. José “Run Support” Ramírez provided Cantillo a little cushion to work with. José launched a home run in the bottom of the first to give the Guards a 1-0 lead and move him up to #3 in all-time franchise RBI and gave him his 700th xBH.

In the bottom of the third the Guards tacked on another run, giving them a 2-0 lead. Angel Martínez hit a 2-out single to left that fell between the third baseman and left fielder. José Ramírez drew a walk as the crowd serenaded him with his eponymous chant. With runners on first and second, Kyle Manzardo hit a single to center to score Angel from second.

Joey Cantillo made it through 4 without allowing a run, but faced issues in the 5th inning as his pitch count quickly approached, and surpassed, the 90 mark. The Orioles hit two singles and drew a walk to load the bases. Joey worked the next batter into a full count before the batter grounded into a double play, scoring one.

A lineout to right retired the final hitter of the inning, keeping the damage to a minimum and the score 2-1, Guards. Cantillo ended his night 5IP, 2H, 1R/ER, 4BB, 5K.

Bottom of the fifth and the Guards created another great opportunity to score. Bo Naylor drew a lead off walk, Angel Martínez hit a one-out double, and José Ramírez was intentionally walked to load the bases. Kyle Manzardo hit a sac fly to score another run and give the Guards a 3-1 lead.

Erik Sabrowski came on in the top of the sixth. He threw more strikes than the ump called and a solo shot from Ramon Laureano brought the O’s back to within one run of the Guards.

The death by a thousand cuts approach continued on in the bottom of the sixth. Daniel Schneemann drew a one-out walk then easily stole second base to put himself in scoring position. Brayan Rocchio notched a RBI single to center to put another run on the board.

Bo Naylor showed some plate discipline, drawing a walk of his own. Angel Martínez hit a two-out RBI single.

A wild pitch gave the runners a free 90, and José drew a walk to load them up. Kyle Manzardo struck out, leaving the bases loaded.

Sabrowski returned to pitch the top of the seventh, making two quick outs. One with the help of the gold glove left fielder, Steven Kwan.

Stephen Vogt turned to Matt Festa. A walk, two singles, and a run later Festa was replaced by Cade Smith. Cade retired the side via pop out.

Another run made it’s way to the scoreboard in the seventh. Nolan Jones drew a one-out walk followed by a Schneemann single. NoJo kicked into a higher gear and reached third, putting runners on the corners. Rocchio laid down a beautiful squeeze bunt to score NoJo for the second out.

Cade Smith stayed on in the top of the eighth. After a mound visit from manager Stephen Vogt, Smith remained in and retired the side. Emmanuel Clase closed out the game. He allowed a single, but made quick work of the Baltimore batters to book another W for Cleveland.