The Cleveland Guardians rolled into Chicago to face the Cubs in a quick three game series before heading back home. Game 1 saw Gavin Williams face off against Matthew Boyd. Boyd was foundational to the Guards success in 2024 and Cleveland hitters were reminded why that was the case.
The hitters tried picking away at Boyd early, with the club getting 3 whole hits (an improvement!) in the first two innings. However, the Cubs struck first on three singles, a double, and a throwing error to put up 3 runs. A pick off at home and two pick offs at first got the Guards out of the inning.
In the top of the fourth the Guards fought back, getting the game within 1 run. Carlos Santana hit a lead off double (his career 400th) to left followed by a Lane Thomas walk. Nolan Jones knocked in an RBI with a long single to center scoring Santana.
Angel Martínez hit a sacrifice fly ball to score Lane Thomas before the side was retired.
Gavin Williams and Matthew Boyd kept things competitive going into the sixth. But while Boyd faced the minimum in the sixth, Gavin couldn’t get out of the inning. Williams gave up a lead off home run to center. He looked like he was going to settle in unphased, getting the next two batters out, but things didn’t work out as hoped. Another single and a walk (the result of a borderline call) loaded the bases and forced Stephen Vogt to turn to Matt Festa for the final out. Gavin ended his night going 5.2 IP, 7H, 4R/ER, 4BB, and 2Ks.
Matthew Boyd made it through 7 innings, retiring the last 11 batters he faced. Erik Sabrowski came on in relief for the bottom of the seventh. After allowing a lead off walk, Bo Naylor had a perfect throw down to get the runner at second. Another base runner made it on with a single, but Sabrowski got out of the side.
Vogt let Sabrowski come back out in the bottom of the eighth. Sabrowski gave up a single and was replaced with Jakob Junis. The first batter Junis faced hit into a forceout, but eventually scored thus ruining Sabrowski’s 0.00 career ERA.
The Guardians lost 2-5. The team had 5 hits and 2 walks and have officially entered a 5 game skid.
Game 2 is tomorrow at 8:05 PM EDT. Hopefully the team doesn’t completely embarrass themselves on national television. The game will be televised on ESPN. You can still tune into the radio broadcast to hear Hammy and Rosie.
