The Cleveland Guardians faced a tough outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday, falling 11-3 in spring training action. After a promising start, with three runs in the second inning, the Guardians couldn't maintain their momentum. The Dodgers countered with a five-run third inning and kept adding on, eventually securing a decisive victory.
Travis Bazzana was the standout performer for Cleveland, going 2 for 3 with a home run and driving in all three of the team's runs. His performance continues to highlight why the organization is so optimistic about his future. Bazzana's swing was quick and confident, a promising sign as he heads to the World Baseball Classic.
While Bazzana shone, other Guardians players had quieter afternoons. George Valera and Stuart Fairchild each contributed a hit and a run, and Wuilfredo Antunez added a base hit. However, the lineup struggled to maintain consistent offense after their early success.
On the pitching side, Gavin Williams started the game, allowing one earned run over 1.1 innings. The bullpen faced challenges containing the Dodgers' bats, with Colin Holderman giving up five earned runs in just 0.2 innings, and Austin Peterson surrendering four runs over 1.1 innings. Despite these struggles, relievers Connor Brogdon, Jack Leftwich, and Tanner Burns managed to deliver scoreless outings, though the damage was already done.
This loss drops Cleveland to a 4-1 record in spring play, but there are still positives to take away. Bazzana’s impressive showing is a key highlight, and the coaching staff will be eager to build on his success as the team progresses through spring training.