Post-Game Live Recap

3 Things About Guardians Loss to the Kansas City Royals

1 – 8th inning meltdown 

Heading into the bottom of the 8th inning, the Guardians held a 4-2, but Trevor Stephan went on to walk three batters and hit a batter as well to make it 4-3.  Enyel De Los Santos promptly gave up the game-winning double to make it 5-4.  Bo Naylor gave up a passed ball to put the final touches on another gut punch of a loss for our Guards. 

2 – Cal  

Cal Quantrill did what was needed going 5 2/3 innings only giving up two runs. 

3 – Bibee latest 

Tanner Bibee was placed on the 15-day IL ending his 2023 season with right hip inflammation.  James Karinchak is back with the club in replacement of Bibee. 

Game Summary

In Monday’s matinee series opener, Drew Waters delivered a crucial double during an eighth-inning rally with two outs, propelling the Kansas City Royals to a 6-4 victory over the Cleveland Guardians.

At the outset, the Royals found themselves trailing 4-2. However, their comeback began when Kyle Isbel drew a leadoff walk from Trevor Stephan. Following two consecutive outs by the reliever, MJ Melendez walked, and Nelson Velázquez was hit by a pitch, loading the bases for Michael Massey. Massey’s walkoff Stephan (6-7) resulted in a run, narrowing the gap to just one.

To face Waters, Cleveland summoned Enyel De Los Santos. Waters promptly delivered a double to the left, providing the Royals with the lead. A wild pitch from De Los Santos allowed Massey to score, giving Kansas City’s bullpen some breathing room.

Jackson Kowar (2-0) secured the win with a scoreless inning, while James McArthur recorded his first big league save in the ninth.

Gabrial Arias contributed to Cleveland’s offense with a home run and two RBIs, despite another impressive start by Cal Quantrill. Quantrill conceded only two runs on five hits with three strikeouts and no walks in 5 2/3 innings but left the game without the chance to improve his 7-0 record in 10 appearances against Kansas City.

In contrast, Royals’ starter Brady Singer continued to struggle in the late season, surrendering four runs on eight hits and two walks over six innings. Singer has not secured a victory since August 8 in Boston.

Cleveland had just swept the AL West-contending Texas Rangers in a three-game series but now holds a 72-79 record. They need to win nine of their remaining 11 games to avoid only their second losing season under manager Terry Francona.

Cleveland initially took a 2-0 lead with Bo Naylor’s double and Myles Straw’s sacrifice. The Royals managed to score one run in the third inning, but Gabriel Arias extended Cleveland’s lead with a home run in the fourth and a sacrifice fly in the sixth, making it 4-1.

Kansas City’s Nelson Velázquez provided a glimmer of hope with a homer in the sixth, and the game remained in that state until the Royals orchestrated their game-changing eighth-inning rally.

Trainers Room

Tanner Bibee will be shut down for the season after the 24-year-old right-hander came out of Saturday’s game against Texas with tightness in his hip. Bibee did not make the trip to Kansas City so that he could receive more treatment for the inflammation. He finished 10-4 with a 2.98 ERA in 25 starts this season.

Up Next

Guardians will start LHP Logan Allen (7-7, 3.60) on Tuesday night. The Royals had yet to announce a starting pitcher.

Tuesday 9/19 7:40 PM EST – Game 2 of Series vs. Royals

The post Game Recap 9/18/23 | Guardians Lose to the Royals 6-4 appeared first on Believe In The Land.