Post-Game Recap

3 Things Around The Game

1 – Three pitches

With the Guardians up 2-1, the game turned in the bottom of the 5th on three pitches; Steven Kwan came up with the bases loaded and, on the first pitch, ripped a double down the line, scoring two and two pitches later Andres Gimenez hit a two-run single putting the game away at 6-1.

2 – McKenzie

After giving up a lead-off home run, Triston McKenzie settled down, only giving up two more hits, one earned over five innings, and getting the win. 

3 – Runs 

This was a total team effort on Friday night as everybody in the Cleveland lineup scored at least one run except for Jose Ramirez, who contributed with an RBI single in the bottom of the 5th.

Game Summary

Tyler Freeman smashed a two-run homer, while Steven Kwan and Andrés Giménez each contributed a pair of RBIs, propelling the Cleveland Guardians to a commanding 10-2 triumph over the Oakland Athletics on Friday night.

Triston McKenzie (2-2) showcased his prowess on the mound, allowing just one run across five innings while striking out a season-high six batters. The right-hander, who battled back from a sprained elbow last season, had struggled with strikeouts in his initial three starts.

Josh Naylor added to the offensive barrage with a solo home run, while Estevan Florial notched a career-best three hits for the Guardians, who have been on a tear, winning five of their last six games and boasting the top record in the AL Central at 14-6. This marks Cleveland’s strongest start since 1999.

On the opposing side, A’s third baseman Abraham Toro launched his first career leadoff home run, and Brent Rooker contributed a homer in the ninth inning off Scott Barlow. Despite the late surge, Oakland stands at 7-5 after a shaky start to the season with seven losses in their first eight games.

Right-hander Joe Boyle (1-3) endured a tough outing, yielding seven runs across six innings in his fourth start. The Cleveland native struggled with control, issuing four walks and allowing five hits.

Freeman’s homer, aided by the wind, curled inside the foul pole in right field, scoring Will Brennan and giving Cleveland a 2-1 lead in the second inning. Naylor further extended the lead with a solo shot off Kyle Muller in the eighth inning.

The Guardians cemented their dominance with a five-run explosion in the fifth inning, highlighted by Kwan’s two-run double. Giménez followed suit with a two-run single, and José Ramírez drove in another run to cap off the offensive onslaught.

Oakland embarks on a challenging 10-game road trip, including matchups against the Yankees and Orioles. They face another daunting stretch of 10 consecutive road games from May 10-19.

Trainers Room

RHP Gavin Williams (right elbow inflammation), who has been on the IL since March 25, is slated to throw three innings in a simulated game Saturday in Goodyear, Arizona

Up Next

LHP Alex Wood (0-1, 8.10 ERA) has the third-highest ERA in the majors among pitchers with at least 15 innings. He also is allowing the third-highest OPS at 1.042. He’ll face Guardians LHP Logan Allen (2-0, 5.06 ERA), who defeated Oakland and Seattle in his first two starts but has given up nine runs over 9 2/3 innings in his past two outings.

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