Game Recap: Royals 4 - Guardians 2
Schneemann and Cantillo with strong outings not enough to add to the win column.
The Cleveland Guardians had a lively start to the series finale against the Kansas City Royals, but Cole Ragans was too much for Cleveland to overcome.
- Ben Lively started the game for the Guardians a bit shaky in the top of the first. Maikel Garcia and Bobby Witt Jr. both reached on singles. Angel Martínez had a spectacular throw from center to third to get the lead off runner out. This proved pivotal as runners occupied first and second after Vinnie Pasquantio walked. Salvador Perez grounded into a double play to end the inning and prevent the Royals from striking first.
- The Guardians offense kicked off the scoring in the bottom of the second with what can only be described as a hilarious sequence of events. Jhonkensy Noel hit a lead off single and sat at first while Gabriel Arias and Martínez struck out swinging. Daniel Schneemann came up to bat and double to left field that scored Noel. On a throwing error by Bobby Witt Jr., Schneemann scored for a little league home run, putting the Guards up 2-0.
- In the top of the fourth, Schneemann carried the success of his at bat to his glove. Schneemann made a great snag at second to get Bobby Witt Jr. out.
- Unfortunately Ben Lively struggled as he faced the line up a second and third time. Vinnie Pasquantino singled to center and scored on a game-tying Salvador Perez home run to left center. In the top of the fifth, Lively allowed a one-out walk and two doubles to put the Royals up 4-2. Lively figured it out for the top of the sixth, sending all three batters faced down on flyouts. Lively finished the night with 4ER, 7H, 2BB, and 5Ks in 6.0IP.
- In the top of the seventh, Jakob Junis came on in relief. He had two quick outs to start the inning, but allowed two singles to put runners on the corner. Bobby Witt Jr. popped out to Schneemann to retire the side and strand the runners on base. Junis only allowed two hits in his inning of work. Joey Cantillo went 1-2-3 in the top of the 8th, striking out Pasquantino and Massy. He was tasked with closing the game and keeping the Royals to a two run lead. Which he absolutely did. Cantillo struck out Hunter Renfroe and MJ Melendez and Freddy Fermin grounded out the end the inning. Cantillo topped out with a 96.6 mph Four-Seamer.
- Other than the Schneemann shenanigans, Noel’s single, Santana’s single, and Hedges’ single, the Guardians lineup struggled to figure out Ragans. After Hedges’ single in the bottom of the fifth, the Guardians wouldn’t get another hit until ninth when Steven Kwan hit a lead off single to right off of Carlos Estévez.
The Guardians end their five game win streak with this 4-2 loss. The Guardians head to Baltimore one game above .500 and 1.5 games behind the first place Detroit Tigers.