Right-hander Luis Ortiz highlighted a strong homestand by the Guardians’ starting rotation as he struck out 10 in 5 2/3 innings in a 6-3 win over the Royals on Saturday at Progressive Field.Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Guardians countered their 3-6 trip through Kansas City, San Diego and Anaheim to open the season with a 5-1 homestand against the White Sox and Royals that ended Sunday.
The end result was an 8-7 record that they take on the road tonight against the Orioles in Baltimore. Here are seven thoughts from the Guardians’ first homestand of the season.
- It was 35 degrees for the home opener on April 8 against the White Sox. On Sunday, the final day of the homestand, it was 57 degrees when the Guardians lost to the Royals, 4-2.
- The starting rotation, which struggled on the season-opening road trip, went 2-1 with a 1.74 ERA (six runs in 31 innings) in the six-game homestand. Luis Ortiz and Gavin Williams had wins as the starters struck out 34, walked 15 and allowed 20 hits in 31 innings.
- The Guardians beat the White Sox on April 8 by a 1-0 score on Nolan Jones’ walk-off walk in the ninth inning. On April 9, they escaped with a 3-2 win when Chicago’s Mike Tauchman, representing the tying run, pulled up lame as he rounded third base with two out in the ninth inning. Catcher Austin Hedges tagged him out to end the game.
- The bullpen went 3-0 with one save during the homestand. Eight different relievers combined to post a 1.17 ERA (three runs in 23 innings) in 21 appearances. The only runs allowed by the pen came at the expense of closer Emmanuel Clase, who allowed three runs in three innings.
- It meant that Joey Cantillo, Hunter Gaddis, Tim Herrin, Jakob Junis, Triston McKenzie, Paul Sewald and Cade Smith did not allow a run in the homestand.
- Center fielder Lane Thomas was hit on the right wrist in the home opener on April 8. He has not played since. Switch-hitter Angel Martinez was recalled from Triple-A Columbus and hit .500 (5 for 10) with three RBI in three games as Thomas’ replacement in center field.
- Jhonkensy Noel hit .313 (5 for 16) with one RBI during the homestand. He doesn’t have a long track record in the big leagues as a hitter, but we know he has power. When a power hitter starts to make consistent contact, as Noel did during the homestand, it often leads to big things. It just so happens that the Guardians will be at Camden Yards tonight where Noel homered in his first big league at bat on June 26 last season. Stay tuned.
Breakfast and trivia
When in Baltimore, it is required dining to eat crab or crab cakes morning, noon and night. A crab-stuffed omelet or eggs benedict with crab is a must. While entertaining such crustacean thoughts: Who was the Guardians’ RBI leader during their six-game homestand against the White Sox and Royals? Answer below.
Next
Tuesday: Guardians vs. Orioles at Camden Yards at 7:05 p.m. EDT. LHP Logan Allen (0-2, 3.60) vs. RHP Charlie Morton (0-3, 8.78) at 7:05 p.m. CLEGuardians.TV, WTAM/1100 and WMMS/100.7 FM will carry the game.
Wednesday: Guardians vs. Orioles at Camden Yards at 6:35 p.m. EDT. RHP Gavin Williams (1-0, 3.40) vs. RHP Dean Kremer (1-2, 8.16). CLEGuardians.TV, WTAM/1100 and WMMS/100.7 F will carry the game.
Thursday: Guardians vs. Orioles at Camden Yards at 6:35 p.m. EDT. RHP Tanner Bibee (1-1, 4.40) vs. RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (1-1, 3.86). CLEGuardians.TV, WTAM/1100 and WMMS/100.7 FM will carry the game.
Friday: Guardians vs. Pirates at PNC Park at 6:40 p.m. EDT. CLEGuardians.TV, WTAM/1100 and WMMS/100.7 FM will carry the game.
Saturday: Guardians vs. Pirates at PNC Park at 4:05 p.m. EDT. CLEGuardians.TV, WTAM/1100 and WMMS/100.7 FM will carry the game.
Sunday: Guardians vs. Pirates at PNC Park at 1:35 p.m. EDT. CLEGuardians.TV, WTAM/1100 and WMMS/100.7 FM will carry the game.
Trivia answer
Steven Kwan and Kyle Manzardo tied for the team lead in RBI during the homestand with five each.
