Cleveland Sports Forum

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee celebrates after triking out Minnesota Twins' Edouard Julien to end the bottom of the second inning Thursday with the bases loaded at Target Field.


Guardians, strung out from the road, find elixir to beat Twins, 4-2

Updated: Apr. 04, 2024, 7:40 p.m.|Published: Apr. 04, 2024, 7:15 p.m.

By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com

MINNEAPOLIS -- There is no rest for the weary or the Guardians.

They arrived in Minneapolis late Wednesday after playing seven games on the West Coast in Oakland and Seattle. Instead of Thursday being an off day, they faced the defending AL Central champion Twins at Target Field.

But the best tonic for weariness is victory, which is exactly what the Guardians did with a 4-2 win to ruin the Twins’ home opener. The win should make Friday’s first off day of the regular season that much more enjoyable.

Tanner Bibee (1-1, 3.86) pitched out of early trouble and the Guardians’ fire drill of an offense did just enough for the win. They are 6-2 on this 10-game, 11-day trip to open the season.

Bibee found trouble early.

Alex Kirilloff tripled over Tyler Freeman in deep center field with one out in the first. Bibee responded by retiring the next two batters to escape.

The Twins loaded the bases in the second with two out on a single, hit batsman and error on shortstop Brayan Rocchio. Bibee ended the threat by striking out Edouard Julien. He walked off the mound screaming into his glove in celebration.

Pablo Lopez (1-1, 3.55) opened the game with nine straight outs. In the the fourth, however, the top of Cleveland’s lineup started gnawing at his ankles.

Steven Kwan singled and went to third on another single by Andres Gimenez. Jose Ramirez added a third straight single to score Kwan for a 1-0 lead and send Gimenez to third.

Josh Naylor sent a hard grounder to third that Willi Castro bobbled. Gimenez broke for home and got caught in a rundown. He avoided being tagged out long enough for Ramirez to advance to third and Naylor to second.

Freeman made it 2-0 with a single to right center as Naylor moved to third. Will Brennan delivered him for a 3-0 lead with a sacrifice fly. The Guardians entered the game leading the AL with seven sacrifice flies.

Bibee escaped another jam in the fourth. The Twins put runners on first third with two out. Bibee retired Christian Vazquez on a long fly ball to center to end the inning.

The Twins made it 3-1 on Julien’s leadoff homer in the fifth. Bibee retired the next three batters.

Cleveland came right back with a run in the sixth to make it 4-1. Brennan, who singled with two out, scored on Carlos Correa’s bases-loaded error at short. Brennan’s single knocked Lopez out of the game after 5 2/3 innings.

Bibee started the sixth with his ninth strikeout of the day, throwing a called third strike past Correa. It was also his last strikeout as Tim Herrin relieved.

Herrin ended the sixth with two quick outs, but he loaded the bases on a walk, single and hit batsman in the seventh. Hunter Gaddis relieved with one out and struck out Byron Buxton. With Max Kepler batting, however, Gaddis threw a wild pitch that scored Castro to cut Cleveland’s lead in half at 4-2.

The bullpen continued to tempt fate in eighth.

Scott Barlow gave up a leadoff double to Correa, but then proceeded to strike out Carlos Santana, Manuel Margot and Castro.

Emmanuel Clase retired the Twins in order for his third save in as many chances.

[ 15 more strikeouts for Guardian pitchers }

Next:

The Guardians are off Friday.

The three-game series with the Twins resumes Saturday with Carlos Carrasco (0-0, 5.40) starting for Cleveland and RHP Joe Ryan (0-0, 1.69) starting for the Twins. Game time is 2:10 p.m. ET. Bally Sports Great Lakes, WTAM and the Guardians radio network will carry the game.


CONDENSED GAME


https://www.mlb.com/video/condensed-gam ... 0Games&p=0


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Shane Bieber is heading for reconstructive elbow surgery after making just two starts in 2024


Shane Bieber done for the season, now what for the Guardians? –

Terry Pluto

Updated: Apr. 06, 2024, 12:28 p.m.|Published: Apr. 06, 2024, 12:26 p.m.

By Terry Pluto, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio – He needs what?

That’s what I thought when first hearing the news of Shane Bieber needing season-ending elbow surgery.

Within minutes, emails came in from hardcore baseball fans who have been excited with the team’s fast start to the season.

“It’s so hard to be a Cleveland fan,” wrote Patrick Hey.

“The Bieber news is a shock,” wrote Rob Oviatt. “Knew he had issues last year. But His first two starts didn’t look like a guy with a bad elbow.”

Yes, Bieber missed major parts of the 2021 and 2023 seasons due to arm injuries. But this season, Bieber opened with 20 strikeouts in 12 innings. Make that, 12 scoreless innings.

None of this is to question Bieber’s grit. The man will be a free agent at the end of the season. It’s in his self-interest to deliver the kind of a performance that he has in the first two games.

It’s still shock.

I asked Chris Antonetti about the news of surgery coming off two games that reminded us how Bieber won the 2020 Cy Young Award. The Guardians president stressed Bieber’s determination and how he pitched through pain.

“We all felt he was on a good path to stay health and contribute for the balance of the season,” said Antonetti. “Ultimately when he got back into games and faced the stress of the major league environment it was too much for him. Shane feels he’s letting a lot of people down. I’ve reassured Shane that couldn’t be farther from the truth. He embodies what it means to be a professional, a great teammate and a great leader.”

Bieber’s arm began to bother him after his first start in Oakland and the pain was worse following start two in Seattle. That led to the medical people taking over and determining he needs elbow reconstruction, the Tommy John surgery.

NOW WHAT?

This is devastating news to Bieber and the Guardians. Bieber is the leader of a talented but young rotation. He has the work ethic of Corey Kluber, a great example for other pitchers.

In the press conference, I asked Antonetti about Gavin Williams. The phenom right-hander has been out since spring training with his own arm problem. It’s not supposed to be serious, but Antonetti said Williams is at least a few weeks away from being ready.

Top pitching prospect Daniel Espino is having another arm surgery, he’s out for the year. The Guardians are high on Joey Cantillo, but he suffered a significant hamstring injury and is sidelined for a few months.

They will have to scramble to fill two spots in the rotation (Bieber and Williams). Carlos Carrasco filled in for Williams and allowed three runs in five innings against Oakland. The 37-year-old veteran becomes even more important now.

Xzavian Curry is coming back from an illness that hit him late in spring training. He made a start in Class AAA Columbus, striking out seven in 2 ⅓ innings. He seems ready to help at least for a few innings.

Welcome to Cleveland, Stephen Vogt. The rookie manager has a lot to figure out.

THE BIG PICTURE

Bieber was pitching not only to help his team, but to enhance his status as a free agent. The Guardians had tried to sign him long term several times, but he turned them down. The team had to be wondering when to trade Bieber.

They weren’t going to let him walk away in free agency. They were in serious talks with Tampa Bay and other teams last summer for a big deal involving Bieber. Then Bieber was injured, ending those talks.

The Guardians and Tampa Bay then made a smaller trade, Cleveland sending starter Aaron Civale to the Rays for prospect Kyle Manzardo.

Now, Bieber is off the trade market. While the Guardians won’t talk about, losing Bieber hurt their chances of enhancing the current roster.

The average recovery time for this type of elbow surgery is in the 12 to 18 month range. They used to say 9 to 12 months, but found pitchers returning too soon re-injured the elbow.

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Guardians' David Fry celebrates his three-run home run against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday in the second inning at Target Field.AP

Guardians’ pitchers combine on two-hitter in 3-1 win over Twins

Updated: Apr. 06, 2024, 5:14 p.m.|Published: Apr. 06, 2024, 5:05 p.m.

By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Guardians received bad news before Saturday’s game when manager Stephen Vogt told them that ace Shane Bieber was done for the season because of a damaged right elbow.

Then they went out and beat the Twins, 3-1, at Target Field on a three-run homer by David Fry and a collective two-hit performance by seven pitchers.

The Guardians improved to 7-2 on this 10-game, 11-day trip to open the season.

On a sun-splashed, but cold April afternoon, Fry lined a three-run homer into the left field seats with two out in the second inning off Joe Ryan (0-1, 3.18) for a 3-1 lead.

Ryan started the inning by hitting Josh Naylor with a pitch. Tyler Freeman bounced into a force play, but Will Brennan singled to left. Bo Naylor flied out to the track in right to bring Fry to the plate.

Fry hit Ryan’s second pitch, an 83 mph slider, 424 feet into the seats. It was his first homer of the season, but it gave him six RBI.

Carlos Carrasco started for the Guardians, but lasted only three innings. He allowed a run in the first inning on a triple by Alex Kirilloff and struck out six. He was removed with 78 pitches.

Kirilloff’s triple was originally called an error on first baseman Josh Naylor. The hard-hit ball froze Naylor as it skipped over his glove and carried into the right field corner. It was later changed to a triple, which proved to be the Twins’ only hit until Correa singled with two out in the ninth.

Carrasco’s early exit set up a bullpen game for the Guardians as manager Stephen Vogt went through six relievers.

The Guardians had a chance to add to the lead in the fifth when Brayan Rocchio doubled with one out. Steven Kwan lined out to Correa at shortstop, but Andres Gimenez lined a single to right. Rocchio, however, may have been expecting the ball to get knocked down on the infield.

The inning ended with Jose Ramirez lining to left. Rocchio ended the game with two hits and an error.

Nick Sandlin relieved Carrasco with a scoreless fourth. In the fifth, however, he hit Ryan Jeffers to open the inning. Willi Castro sent a grounder to short that Rocchio threw away to put runners on first and second.

Cade Smith relieved and retired three straight.

The Twins loaded the bases in the sixth with one out. Smith hit Byron Buxton and walked Max Kepler. After Carlos Santana forced Kepler at second, Hunter Gaddis relieved and loaded the bases by hitting Matt Wallner with a pitch.

Gaddis rebounded by striking out the next two batters to end the inning.

Scott Barlow started the seventh with two walks, but induced a double play by Kirilloff and a ground out by Buxton. Tyler Beede followed with a scoreless eighth.

Emmanuel Clase pitched the ninth for his fourth save. Clase is 19 for 19 in save opportunities in his career against the Twins.

Twins hitting coach David Popkins was ejected in the top of the fifth for arguing balls and strikes.

In Thursday’s 4-2 loss to the Guards, the Twins went 0 for 12 with runners in scoring position and left nine runners on base. They went 0 for 10 with runners in scoring position on Saturday, while stranding 10 runners.

The Twins worked seven walks and were hit by pitches three times, but could manage more than one run.

Next:

RHP Triston McKenzie (0-1, 10.80) vs. RHP Bailey Ober (0-1, 54.00) Sunday at 2:10 p.m. ET. Bally Sports Great Lakes, WTAM and the Guardians radio network will carry the game.

ANOTHER GEM BY GIMENEZ NO LOOK BACK HAND GLOVE FLIP TO ROCCHIO AND A NICE SPRAWLING GRAB FOR THE OUT

https://www.mlb.com/video/cade-smith-in ... st-popular



FRY'S 3-RUN HOMER

https://www.mlb.com/video/david-fry-hom ... st-popular



CARRASCO STRIKES OUT SIX

https://www.mlb.com/video/carlos-carras ... st-popular



GADDIS EXCAPES A BASESES LOADED JAM

https://www.mlb.com/video/willi-castro- ... st-popular



CONDENSED GAME

https://www.mlb.com/video/condensed-gam ... 0Games&p=0





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Sunday’s Twins-Guardians game postponed due to bad weather: Full details and makeup date

Sunday’s game will be made up as part of a doubleheader in August.


By Josh Hill | 10:21 AM CDT

It only took seven games for the Minnesota Twins to experience their first rain delay. Not only that, but Sunday’s scheduled game against the Cleveland Guardians was postponed well ahead of first pitch due to bad weather.

The postponement might actually be a blessing in disguise for the Twins, who are in the midst of a brutal offensive slump that the team can’t seem to snap out of. Bad umpiring no doubt went a long way in tipping the scales, but Minnesota’s bats have gone dead quiet at the plate in an eerily similar way to what happened last summer.

Sunday was going to be the final game of the home opener series against Cleveland, and Minnesota’s first chance to get a win against the Guardians this year. Back-to-back losses came as the offense fell into a 0-for-24 hitless streak with runners in scoring position, something that goes a lot further in helping lose games than a slew of objectively bad calls by the home plate umpire.

Now the Twins will get a break to hopefully recoup and realign before a tough series against the Los Angeles Dodgers starting on Monday.


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Logan Allen will be the starting pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians' 2024 home opener.


Guardians Announce Starter For Home Opener

TOMMY WILD 22 HOURS AGO

The Cleveland Guardians organization and fan base were hit with brutal news that Shane Bieber would require Tommy John surgery, thus ending his 2024 season. He was in line to be the starter for the team’s home opener on Monday afternoon, but that will no longer be the case.

Due to the injury, Logan Allen will now take Bieber’s spot as the first starting pitcher at Progressive Field this season as they take on the Chicago White Sox. This is what made the most sense as Allen is who has followed Bieber in the rotation in each of his two starts this season, but it was confirmed by Mandy Bell of MLB.com.

Allen had a rocky season debut against the Oakland Athletics as he struggled with command. However, he made up for that with a stellar start against the Seattle Mariners in the series finale. Allen pitched 6.2 innings gave up just four hits, struck out six batters, and didn’t allow a single run. This brings his early 2024 ERA down to a 2.31.

Monday’s home opener at Progressive Field will be one unlike any other due to a historic event that will take place just an hour before the first pitch. Cleveland is directly in the line of the total solar eclipse that will draw the attention of all natives of the city and those visiting just for the event.

Progressive Field’s gates will open at 2:00 to allow fans to view the spectacle that will take place at 3:13 pm. The game will then start at 5:10 when Allen will take the mound.


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11:29 AM · Apr 7, 2024

With today’s rainout, Triston McKenzie will now start the home opener tomorrow. Logan Allen will go on Tuesday and Tanner Bibee on Wednesday.


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Wagon is turning in to a train !

Great game last night. Very exciting. Morgan needs to go back to AAA, Brennen needs to join him.

This place is rocking !

Ditto for Laureano

Ditto for Freeman

Guardians come up short in 3-2 loss to Yankees

Updated: Apr. 13, 2024, 4:14 p.m.|Published: Apr. 13, 2024, 3:13 p.m.

By Joe Noga, cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Guardians fell behind early for the third consecutive game and mounted a rally Saturday, but were unable to complete the comeback in a 3-2 loss to the Yankees during Game 1 of a split doubleheader at Progressive Field.

Cleveland put the tying run at second base in the ninth when Ramón Laureanoled off with a double that hit high off the wall in left field. But Yankees closer Clay Holmes earned his sixth save when he struck out Bo Naylor on a checked swing and locked up Estevan Florial on a breaking ball that appeared to be off the inside corner of the plate before Brayan Rocchio sent a game-ending ground out to second base.

The Guardians slip to 9-4, including 2-2 on their current homestand. The Yankees match their best start in franchise history at 11-3, accomplished 11 previous times, most recently in 2010. Cleveland is 1-3 in one-run games and 6-14 against the Yankees since the start of the 2021 season.

Manager Stephen Vogt said he liked the quality of his club’s at-bats after they fell behind 3-0 in the sixth.

“I can’t talk enough about the way this team just continues to fight back,” Vogt said. “We always have the bat in our hands with a chance to win the game up until the end. It’s been that way all year. I don’t see that stopping, but obviously we have room to get better and we know that and we’re going to continue to work.”

Cleveland scored twice in the sixth thanks to back-to-back singles by Steven Kwan and Andrés Giménez to open the frame. After Josh Naylor’s third walk of the game loaded the bases, Tyler Freeman sent a soft grounder up the middle that Gleyber Torres fielded next to the bag. Torres stepped on second for the force, but his throw to first bounced into a photo bay, allowing Kwan and Giménez to score and cut New York’s lead to a single run.

Kwan now leads the American League with 23 hits, the most by a Cleveland hitter through 13 games since Victor Martinez collected 13 in 2006. Giménez extended his hitting streak to eight games and has hit safely in 12 of 13 games this year.

Josh Naylor drew three walks in the contest and appeared to grow increasingly displeased each time ball four was registered.

“Obviously he’s got a great eye and they’re not challenging him right now,” Vogt said. “But credit to him, he passed the baton and had some really good quality at-bats today.”

Prior to the sixth, Cleveland’s offense had managed a only a first-inning single from Giménez, struggling to figure out Yankees starter Clarke Schmidt (1-0, 3.68), who struck out seven and walked five in five innings.

The Guardians put runners on base in the first two innings, but were unable to score as Freeman grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the first and Bo Naylor was caught stealing to end the second.

Cleveland starter Carlos Carrasco (0-1, 3.55), making his first appearance at Progressive Field since he faced the Yankees in Game 2 of the 2020 AL Wild Card Series, walked five and managed just two strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings. But Carrasco scattered five hits and allowed only one run thanks to a pair of ground ball double plays with the bases loaded. Yankees center fielder Trent Grisham ended the fourth inning by bouncing to Josh Naylor at first to start a 3-6-3 twin killing.

Freeman erased another base runner in the third when he caught a sky high pop from Aaron Judge and made a strong throw to double up Juan Soto at first. Soto crashed into Josh Naylor as he retreated to the base and was originally ruled safe. But the call was overturned on review after replay showed Naylor had alertly tagged the bag with his glove while Soto was shoving him to the dirt with two hands.

Vogt praised Freeman for continuing to make plays in center, and Naylor for having the presence of mind to get the out while absorbing contact.

“(I was) joking with him, that’s a hockey player right there,” Vogt said of Naylor. “Knowing how to fall and still put the glove on the bag. So a great play by both of them.

Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo went 2 for 3 with a pair of doubles, a walk and two runs scored. He was aboard with a leadoff double in the sixth when Oswaldo Cabrera launched a two-run shot to right field off Nick Sandlin, the first home run Sandlin allowed this season and Cabrera’s third.

Eli Morgan, Tim Herrin and Peter Strezlecki combined to shut out New York over the final 3 1/3 innings with three strikeouts, a walk and two hits allowed.

Carrasco looked strong in the first inning, retiring Anthony Volpe on a fly ball to left and striking out the dangerous Soto before Judge sent a high fly ball to right that carried all the way to the warning track and eluded Will Brennan for a double. But with Judge at second and Anthony Rizzo aboard on the first of Carrasco’s five walks, Gleyber Torres popped out to shallow center to end the inning.

Carrasco pitched himself into trouble in the second when he loaded the bases on back-to-back walks and a single by Jose Trevino. But the 15-year veteran executed his game plan to the next two batters, getting Grisham to ground into a double play as Verdugo crossed the plate with the game’s first run.

Carrasco then retired Volpe on a grounder to second base, escaping the inning with just one run allowed. Vogt said he was pleased with the way Carrasco pitched.

“He battled through again,” Vogt said. “Lacked a little bit of command at times in putting guys away. He was getting ahead early, but he’s been really having a hard time finishing them off.”

Carrasco said he needs to work on minimizing his pitch count and being more efficient, pointing to his five walks as something he can address in his next outing. But getting back on the mound in front of Cleveland fans was something special for the 37-year-old righty.

“It was really nice,” Carrasco said. “It was really nice to be pitching back here in Cleveland again in front of the fans, all that kind of stuff, but it was really emotional for me.”

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Triston McKenzie struggles as Yankees sweep doubleheader with 8-2 win in nightcap

Updated: Apr. 13, 2024, 8:45 p.m.|Published: Apr. 13, 2024, 8:42 p.m.

By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- If the Guardians were trying to find answers about the state of their starting rotation in Saturday’s day-night doubleheader sweep by the Yankees, they received more than enough feedback from Aaron Boone’s team.

It was not the kind of data they wanted. But it probably did not surprise them.

In the first game, Carlos Carrasco allowed just one run in 4 2/3 innings, but walked five in a 3-2 loss to New York. In the nightcap, Triston McKenzie walked six in four innings as the Yankees completed the sweep with a 8-2 victory at Progressive Field.

McKenzie, limited to four starts last year because of right shoulder and elbow injuries, has five strikeouts and 12 walks in 13 innings this season.

The Guardians, still looking to fill Shane Bieber’s spot in the rotation, have not had a starter pitch more than 6 2/3 innings in the first 14 games of the season.

McKenzie (1-2, 6.23) allowed six runs, five earned, on 84 pitches. The Yankees turned four of his six walks into runs. That included their first two runs of the game.

Anthony Volpe and Juan Soto started the game with consecutive walks. When Andres Gimenez couldn’t handle Gabriel Arias’ throw from third on Aaron Judge’s grounder, the bases were loaded. Anthony Rizzo, who entered the doubleheader hitting .329 in his career against Cleveland, singled to score Volpe. McKenzie walked Giancarlo Stanton to make it 2-0.

Right-hander Cody Poteet, meanwhile, held the Guardians to one run over six innings in his Yankee debut. Poteet (1-0, 1.50) missed most of last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.

Saturday’s start was Poteet’s first in the big leagues since July 16, 2022 with the Marlins. It was his first big-league win since May 23, 2021. He struck out four.

The Yankees stretched their lead to 6-0 with four runs in the fourth. Volpe had an RBI single and Soto hit a three-run homer off McKenzie’s 3-0 pitch. One of those balls was caused by a pitch clock violation.

McKenzie’s day ended with a strikeout of Rizzo. It was only strikeout of the game.

New York made it 8-0 in the fifth against Tyler Beede. Oswaldo Cabrera doubled home a run and Austin Wells delivered the other with a sacrifice fly. Cabrera’s two-run homer helped secure the Yankees’ victory in the opener.

The Guardians escaped a shutout by the most unlikely of sources -- Estevan Florial.

https://www.mlb.com/video/cody-poteet-i ... EETEXT&p=0


The former Yankee, 0 for 3 in the opener, homered in the fifth inning off Poteet to make it 8-1. Florial hit 28 homers at Triple-A for the Yankees last season. It was that number that prompted the Guardians to send right-hander Cody Morris to the Yankees for the left-handed hitting Florial.

But Florial did little in spring training and was hitting .143 (2 for 14) coming into Saturday’s doubleheader. Saturday’s homer was just his second in the big leagues.

The Guardians were held five hits in the opener and seven in the nightcap. Their final run came on Josh Naylor’s homer in the ninth. It was his fourth of the season.

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Wild game in Cleveland to beat the Yankees in 10
G's had to score 3 in the 10th to win 8-7.
Lot of different heroes including Bo turning a 3-2-3 double play.

Guardians avoid sweep with wild 8-7 victory over Yankees in 10 innings

Updated: Apr. 14, 2024, 6:23 p.m.|Published: Apr. 14, 2024, 5:02 p.m.

By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Hollywood came to Cleveland on Sunday afternoon.

The Guardians had seemingly ruined the plot when they couldn’t hold a 5-4 lead in the ninth inning. Things turned darker in the 10th when Anthony Rizzo singled home two runs to give the Yankees a 7-5 lead.

But the Guardians rallied for a 8-7 victory in the 10th on Andrés Giménez’s walk-off sacrifice fly against Yankee lefty Caleb Ferguson.

The Guards scored three runs in the 10th to win it. The runs came on a groundout, fielder’s choice and sacrifice fly.

Bo Naylor, the automatic runner, took third on José Ramírez’s leadoff single and scored on a ground ball to second by his brother Josh Naylor to make it a 7-6 game. David Fry doubled Josh Naylor to third, from where he scored on Will Brennan’s grounder to second.

Giménez followed with his sacrifice fly to right field to score Fry. It was Cleveland’s second walk-off win in their 3-3 homestand.

“This whole homestand we fought back,” said manager Stephen Vogt. “On the road trip, we led most of those games. To come back after a tough day like Saturday, get down early and punch right back. It means consistently we’re not going to quit.

“That’s one of things I heard the boys yelling on the way back up to the clubhouse today. . .We don’t quit. We don’t quit. We don’t quit.”

In the eighth, former Yankee outfielder Estevan Florial hit a pinch-hit, two-out homer to give the Guardians a 5-4 lead. It was Florial’s second homer in as many games against his old team.

Florial, hitting .150, pinch-hit for Ramon Laureano. The score was tied 4-4 when he hammered Luke Weaver’s 0-1 pitch into the right field seats for Cleveland’s third homer of the day.

It should have been the perfect ending, right? Not so fast.

Closer Emmanuel Clase had two out in the ninth when Anthony Volpe doubled past Brennan in right field to score Oswaldo Cabrera from first base with the tying run. It was Clase’s first blown save of the year.

Brennan was a defensive replacement for Laureano in right field after Florial’s pinch-hit homer.

“It felt great,” said Florial when asked about the home run. “But most importantly, were able to go out there and win the ballgame. That’s the thing on my mind right now.”

Said Vogt over the slow-starting Florial, “It’s such a special moment for Flo. Anytime you can have a pinch-hit homer, it’s one of the best feelings a hitter can have. . .It was a very cool moment for him.”

The day did not start well for Cleveland starter Logan Allen, who was hit on his left elbow on a line-drive by Volpe on his fourth pitch of the game. Allen, after being attended to by head athletic trainer Jeff Desjardins, retired the side in order.

“I’m good,” said Allen.

Trouble came again in the third when Aaron Judge gave the Yankees a 3-0 lead with a three-run homer halfway up the bleachers in left center field. Statcast measured it as 450 feet.

Allen retired Cabrera to start the inning, but walked Volpe and allowed a double to Juan Soto to bring Judge to the plate.

Ramírez put Allen back in the game in the bottom of the third. Ramírez, 0 for 8 in Saturday’s doubleheader sweep by the Yankees, homered with two out to cut New York’s lead to 3-2.

Gabriel Arias opened the inning with a single off Nestor Cortes, the left-hander who befuddled the Guards in the 2022 American League Division Series. Cortes retired the next two batters before Ramírez lined a 0-2 pitch onto the home run porch in left.

Josh Naylor followed with a double, but for some reason tried to steal third and was thrown out to end the inning.

Jose Trevino pushed the Yankees lead to 4-2 with a two-out homer off Allen in the fourth. Allen retired the first two Yankees, but lost Trevino on a 1-2 pitch.

The Guardians rallied again, scoring twice in the fifth to tie the score at 4.

Arias, who started the day hitting .158, lined a 424-foot homer into the center field bullpens to start the fifth. Steven Kwan singled and Cortes ended his day by hitting Tyler Freeman with a pitch.

Nick Burdi relieved and popped up Ramírez. Josh Naylor, however, lined a single through the middle to score Kwan from second and tie the score.

Allen allowed four runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out four and walked two.

Cortes allowed four run on five hits in four innings. He struck out six and walked one.

Tyler Beede (1-0, 3.38) pitched the 10th for the win. He allowed two runs, but induced a 3-6-3 double play off the bat off Alex Verdugo to end the inning and give his teammates a chance to win it.

Next:

The Guardians open a four-game series against the Red Sox on Monday at 11:10 a.m. at Fenway Park. RHP Xzavion Curry will be making his first start of the season for the Guards. The Red Sox have not announced a starter. Bally Sports Great Lakes, WTAM and the Guardians radio network will carry the game.


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CONDENSED GAME

https://www.mlb.com/video/condensed-gam ... 0Games&p=0


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GIMENEZ WINS IT IN THE 10TH

https://www.mlb.com/video/condensed-gam ... 0Games&p=0


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FLORIAL GO AHEAD HOMER

https://www.mlb.com/video/estevan-flori ... st-popular


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JOSE RAMIREZ 2-RUN HOMER

https://www.mlb.com/video/estevan-flori ... st-popular


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VOGT DISCUSSES COME BACK WIN

https://www.mlb.com/video/stephen-vogt- ... st-popular


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