Does anyone want to play some CS:GO?
The Cleveland Guardians took on the Cincinnati Reds in Game 2 of the 3 game series. Not only were the Guards looking to get a W to remove another series sweep, they were also looking to avoid the season sweep. After last night’s disappointing loss, it was on Slade Cecconi to take on the Reds line up again.
Cecconi made his Cleveland debut in Cincinnati against the Reds and looked to be just as dominant through the first three innings, having struck out five of the nine batters faced. Steven Kwan got to flash his 3X Gold Glove defense in the first inning to help Cecconi retire the side.
In the top of the fourth, Cecconi started to run into some trouble. Two singles and a stolen base had runners on second and third for Cecconi to strike out Tyler Stephenson.
In the top of the fifth, Cecconi found himself in trouble again. A double, single, and a walk had the Reds up 1-0 with runners on the corners. The defense stepped up again with Carlos Santana diving to catch a foul bunt.
Facing Gavin Lux, Cecconi would have struck the batter out if the ump hadn’t decided the zone was about 6 inches higher than it actually is. Nolan Jones made a great catch to end the inning, and Cecconi’s night came to a close. Cecconi threw five complete innings, allowing on one run on four hits and a walk. Slade struck out eight of the twenty batters he faced.
Matt Festa pitched the sixth inning, striking out two of the three batters he faced. Nic Enright work the seventh inning, also dominating the Reds offense. A high fast ball fooled Will Benson beautifully and Enright made for a quick inning, throwing only 10 pitches.
Hunter Gaddis pitched the eighth inning. A lead off walk, followed by a single and a strikeout, had the Guards intentionally walk Elly De La Cruz to load the bases. A fly out to center did not score the run as many would think. Center fielder Nolan Jones made a perfect throw into Bo Naylor to turn the double play.
Stephen Vogt turned to Jakob Junis in the one run game for the ninth inning. Junis gave up a lead off single, but a perfect 4-6-3 double play initiated by a heads up throw by Angel suddenly cleared the bases with two outs. José made a golden throw to Carlos Santana for the final out of the ninth.
At least the defense can bounce back after a poor performance.
The bats were making contact early on, but they were waiting for impactful hits to land. Kwan made solid contact for a fly out, Gabriel Arias drew his 15th double on the season, and Bo Naylor had a loud foul ball before he flied out. Will Benson prowling in left field ran down what would have at least been a double for Angel Martínez in the bottom of the third. Reds centerfielder TJ Friedl robbed David Fry of a hit with an incredible outfield catch.
Fly out after ground out after pop out and the Guards were still down by 1 in the bottom of the seventh. Nothing was going their way in terms of hits. The Reds outfield made it impossible for Cleveland to get anyone on base. José Ramírez hit what should have been a triple and was absolutely robbed, hijacked, stolen, ransacked, insert another synonym here-ed by right fielder Jake Fraley.
The Reds starting pitcher Andrew Abbott was working for a CGSO in the ninth inning. He gave up a quick walk to Steven Kwan, but David Fry hit into a double play (instead of the deserved walk) to leave the fate of the Guardians on the shoulders of José Ramírez once again. José delivered with a beautiful bloop single, extending his current hit streak to 10 games and his on base streak to 36 games. With 109 pitches and a 1-2 count, Abbott threw Carlos Santana a 92.5 mph fast ball high and just out of the zone. Santana made amazing contact that sent the ball, and my heart rate, flying high. Will Benson settled under it for the final out of the game. Guards lose 0-1 and Abbott earns his complete game shut out.
The Guardians will have their last chance to avoid the season sweep tomorrow. Its a 1:10 PM EDT start in Cleveland with Logan Allen taking the mound.