Game 2 of the day/night doubleheader ended the same way too many of these nights have gone: another loss, even with a strong showing on the mound.
Gavin Williams turned in a quality start over seven innings, and he was sharp throughout. He gave up two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out 12, marking his fourth straight start with at least 11 strikeouts.
The damage against him came on a solo homer in the first inning and a wild pitch in the fifth with a runner on third. The loss dropped Williams to 10-6 on the season.
The Reds managed just three hits against him, and Daniel Espino, called up as the 27th man, came on for the eighth and looked good as well. He allowed only one baserunner, a walk, and punched out three.
The problem was the bats, which never found much life. The offense was shut out again, finishing with only three walks and four baserunners. The club went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
There was one final chance to change the script. With Gabriel Arias standing on second, Petey Halpin sent a deep fly ball toward the wall, but Dane Myers, the Reds’ center fielder, made a spectacular catch to end it and take away what would have been an extra-base hit.
Kwan, Rhys, Rocchio, and Petey all reached on walks, while Bazzana, Arias, and Hedgey each got on via hits. But none of it was enough to keep the game from slipping away.
In Other News...
Guardians May Have A Real Answer To Their First Base Problem
Clevelands first-base search has been one of the quieter frustrations around an offense that has needed more certainty from that spot, and Ty France has emerged as a name worth watching. The Padres first baseman has put together a much stronger season than the Guardians got from Rhys Hoskins, with better contact quality, better overall production, and a profile that looks a lot more like the kind of steady middle-of-the-order bat Cleveland has been missing.
France is not a report of a done deal, just a possible answer if San Diego decides to listen. The fit makes sense on paper because the Guardians have been looking for more offense without sacrificing too much balance, but the real question is whether the Padres are willing to move him and what kind of return would even get them to the table. For now, it is one of those July ideas that feels more practical than flashy, which is often how Cleveland has to shop. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians Finally Got The One Boost Fans Have Been Desperate For
The Guardians got a needed lift Wednesday with Jos Ramrez back in the lineup after missing time with a left hamate fracture, and the timing could not have been better. Cleveland also put together its biggest power display of the season against Minnesota, launching seven home runs in a game that featured contributions all over the order, including a pair from Rhys Hoskins as the offense finally looked like it had some depth behind its star.
For a club that has spent plenty of time searching for a spark, the bigger picture was hard to miss: the lineup looked more dangerous with Ramrez available, and the extra thunder gave the Guardians a chance to reset some momentum. There was also a more meaningful subplot around the series, as Cleveland and Minnesota teamed up for a charity effort that raised money for the Venezuelan Red Cross, a reminder that even on nights built around offense, there can be something larger happening around the game. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians Just Got A Fascinating Verdict On The Shane Bieber Trade
When the Guardians sent Shane Bieber to Toronto last year, it looked like the kind of move that could be judged in layers for a long time. Cleveland was still able to surge back and win the AL Central, while Bieber helped the Blue Jays reach the World Series, giving both clubs immediate reasons to feel good about the swap even before the long-term evaluation comes into focus.
The early read on Clevelands side is tied to a young arm in the system, and the organization has already seen some of the ripple effects at the major league level. With Bieber no longer occupying a spot in the rotation picture, Parker Messick got his debut on Aug. 20, and the Guardians now have to keep watching how the return develops while a deeper verdict on the deal remains very much in progress. [Read more 🡒]