CLEVELAND —On the 50th anniversary of 10-cent beer night, the Guardians of 2024 welcomed the division rival Kansas City Royals to Progressive Field Tuesday night and earned an 8-5 win.
The Guardians and Royals have both been among baseball's biggest surprises in 2024, far exceeding outside expectations. The Guardians entered with a four-game lead over the Royals, with the Twins two games behind Kansas City for second place in the American League Central.
The Guardians improved to 40-20 and have a five-game lead in the division with Tuesday's comeback win.
Here's how the game unfolded.
Guardians beat the Royals 8-5; Emmanuel Clase earns the save
Emmanuel Clase kept his scoreless streak going and earned the save in the ninth inning, striking out Bobby Witt. Jr to end it.
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Considering the divisional standings, and that the Guardians trailed 5-0 against a pitcher who has been among the best in baseball this season, this win might be one of Cleveland's most impressive thus far.
Guardians score three runs on Bobby Witt Jr. throwing error to take 8-5 lead over Royals
The Guardians loaded the bases and took advantage of a defensive miscue to take the lead in the seventh inning.
Tied 5-5 with the bases loaded, David Fry grounded a ball back up the middle. Bobby Witt Jr. first tried to step on second base for the third out, but he couldn't get there in time. His throw to first base then got by first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino and eventually rolled out of play. It allowed all three runners to come around and score.
The Guardians, after trailing 5-0, have now scored eight unanswered runs.
And for those wondering why Josh Naylor was able to score all the way from first, after getting clarification from the team, it has to do with Witt trying to get Naylor out at second base. Because he went for that out, and then threw it away (and the ball left the field of play), Naylor gets two bases and effectively scores all the way from first base on the play.
Tyler Freeman home run ties Guardians-Royals in the seventh inning
The difference between how the Guardians have hit Lugo the first time through the order and since that point is staggering.
Tyler Freeman just launched a two-run home run to left-center field that has tied it 5-5 in the seventh inning.
The five earned runs allowed by Lugo are a season high.
Triston McKenzie allows five earned runs against Royals
Triston McKenzie ended his day with five runs allowed on nine hits and two walks in 5 1/3 innings. He also struck out seven.
He velocity was just a little bit up from his season average, which is a good sign for the Guardians. But after opting against surgery last year, McKenzie's ERA now stands at 4.16. He's been serviceable, but not quite the pitcher that the Guardians have come to know.
Seth Lugo strikes out Jose Ramirez to escape bases-loaded jam
The Guardians had a situation they love, but they couldn't convert.
With one out, the Guardians loaded the bases against Seth Lugo with Andres Gimenez at the plate and Jose Ramirez lurking on deck.
But Lugo struck out both Gimenez and Ramirez back-to-back to end the inning. The Royals are still holding onto a 5-3 lead heading to the sixth inning.
Josh Naylor home run cuts Royals lead to 5-3
The Guardians seem to have figured something out against Lugo.
After Steven Kwan broke through with a double and scored on Jose Ramirez's single, Josh Naylor hit a two-run home run to left-center field that just cleared the 19-foot wall.
Naylor rounding into form would be an exceptionally good sign for the Guardians, as he entered today hitting just .123 in his last 17 games.
Steven Kwan, Jose Ramirez get Guardians on the board against Seth Lugo, Royals
Steven Kwan represented the Guardians' first baserunner today with his double off the left-field wall, and a few batters later, he scored via a Jose Ramirez single to left field to cut the Royals' lead to 5-1.
Jose Ramirez is now tied with Manny Ramirez on the club's all-time RBI list with 804.
Bobby Witt Jr. has a multi-homer game as the Royals are cruising against the Guardians
Bobby Witt Jr. seems to have Triston McKenzie figured out.
Witt just belted another two-run home run, his second of the game, to give the Royals a 5-0 lead heading to the bottom of the fourth inning.
This one was hit even harder and traveled an estimated 454 feet. Witt has two absolute no-doubters today. The first home run
Seth Lugo sits the Guardians down in order in the first three innings
The Guardians are having trouble figuring out Seth Lugo. Then again, a lot of teams have had that issue this season.
Lugo enters today with a league-best 1.72 ERA as a starting pitcher. And today, he sat the Guardians down in order in all three innings. Steven Kwan, the game's leadoff hitter, will also lead off the fourth inning with Cleveland looking for their first baserunner.
Bobby Witt Jr. home run gives Royals a 3-0 lead over Guardians
Hunter Renfroe put the Royals on top 1-0 with a solo home run in the third inning. A few batters later, Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. absolutely crushed a two-run home run to the bleacher seats in left field. It had an estimated distance of 434 feet.
Considering how he's struggled, Renfroe's home run was a bit of a surprise. Witt's was not as he continues to blossom into one of the game's stars.
Below is some pregame information.
Daniel Schneemann debut is a baseball classic tale
Daniel Schneemann made his major league debut in Sunday's game and jumped on the first pitch he saw in the major leagues for a two-run double. It completed a long, grinding road to the majors for a former 33rd-round draft pick.
Steven Kwan All-Star case continues despite absence due to injury
Steven Kwan returned from the injured list and played so well that his teammates began joking that he isn't even human.
Cleveland Guardians lineup vs. Kansas City Royals
- Steven Kwan, LF
- Andres Gimenez, 2B
- Jose Ramirez, 3B
- Josh Naylor, 1B
- David Fry, C
- Kyle Manzardo, DH
- Will Brennan, RF
- Tyler Freeman, CF
- Daniel Schneemann, SS
Kansas City Royals lineup vs. Cleveland Guardians
- Maikel Garcia, 3B
- Bobby Witt Jr., SS
- Vinnie Pasquantino, 1B
- Salvador Perez, C
- Nelson Velazquez, DH
- Nick Loftin, 2B
- Adam Frazier, LF
- Hunter Renfroe, RF
- Garrett Hampson, CF
Browns cornerback Denzel Ward throws a wild ceremonial first pitch at Guardians game
Browns cornerback Denzel Ward tossed the ceremonial first pitch at Tuesday's Guardians game at Progressive Field and, well, it was eventful.
Guardians City Connect uniforms unveiled
The Guardians wore their new Nike City Connect uniforms for the first time in Friday's game against the Twins.
Guardians schedule, next game
After the Guardians finish this three-game series against the Royals at home, they'll then begin an eight-game road trip that includes trips to Miami, Cincinnati and Toronto.
How can I watch, listen or stream the Cleveland Guardians game tonight?
The game will be broadcast locally on Bally Sports. It'll be broadcast on the radio by WTAM (1100-AM) and WARF (1350-AM, Spanish broadcast).
