by Salvaging a three-game series with a win in the finale, the Cleveland Guardians scored nine runs against the Texas Rangers on Wednesday, the highest scoring effort for Cleveland in nearly two weeks. Veteran catcher Austin Hedges, who is, of course, not known for his hitting, still led the team offensively with two runs scored and three RBI brought in off his bat.
With the Chicago White Sox dropping their series finale to the Baltimore Orioles, the 45-42 Guardians sit one game back of first place in the American League Central Division ahead of a huge series between the two teams vying for first place ahead of the All-Star break.
Rangers southpaw MacKenzie Gore got jumped early in this one, giving up five runs in the bottom of the second inning.
With Brayan Rocchio on third, Hedges successfully safety-squeezed him home and managed to run out the 90-foot distance to stay on the field. Following this, Gore struggled mightily with control.
A Daniel Schneeman walk and a wild pitch from Gore brought Gabriel Arias home, paving the way for a three-run, 380-foot bomb from David Fry to put Cleveland up 5-0.
Starter Joey Cantillo allowed just one run in the first five innings on a bases-loaded walk before he induced an inning-ending double-play in the top of the third. The Hawaiian-born lefty took home the winning decision, giving up just two runs on three hits, striking out four and walking five.
At the top of the sixth inning, the Rangers managed to generate some momentum.
Potential All-Star candidate Colin Holderman came on with no outs and a runner on first before he gave up two runs on two hits and a groundout. However, he got out of a first-and-third jam when he struck out Josh Jung.
Steven Kwan led off the bottom of the seventh with a triple, and Chase DeLauter brought him home with a single to give Cleveland another run. The Guardians led 7-3 after the inning following a stolen base from DeLauter and two wild pitches that moved him all the way home.
In the eighth inning, both teams traded home runs. At the top of the frame, Elias Diaz cut the lead to three runs on a 402-foot solo shot.
But it was Hedges delivering once again. His two-run shot brought home Kahlil Watson with the veteran behind him, and the lead was sealed at 9-4.
Tomorrow’s game, scheduled for a 6:40 p.m. first pitch, will begin a huge four-game series between Chicago and Cleveland that will swing a huge wave of momentum on one club’s side for weeks to come.
Slade Cecconi, coming off a win in his last start, will start for Cleveland. Opposite him will be Davis Martin (9-3, 3.00 ERA) for the White Sox.
