The Cleveland Guardians defeated the Cincinnati Reds on the road Wednesday afternoon by a final score of 7-3. The win marks the fourth straight win for Cleveland, as well as the win marking a sweep against the Reds in the short two-game series.
The Guardians got on the board early due to Reds rookie pitcher Nick Lodolo walking Cleveland outfielder Steven Kwan with the bases loaded, and then hitting All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez with a pitch the following at-bat with the bases loaded again. With Cleveland up 2-0 through two innings, the Guardians then proceeded to hit a homerun in the next three innings. First, first baseman Owen Miller hit a solo homerun in the 3rd inning, then Ramirez hit a two-run homerun in the 4th inning, and then outfielder Oscar Mercado hit a solo homerun in the 5th inning to give Cleveland a 6-0 lead.
The Reds did not go away quietly, with a solo homerun by outfielder Jake Fraley in the bottom of the 5th inning to cut the Cleveland lead to 6-1, but a second solo homerun by Miller in the bottom of the 8th inning got the Guardians a 7-1 lead. The Reds attempted a late comeback with a two-run homerun by catcher Tyler Stephenson in the bottom of the 8th, but it was too little too late as the Guardians held on to a 7-3 win.
For the Guardians (4-2), starting pitcher Triston McKenzie had a great day, going 4.0 complete innings while allowing only three hits and striking out six batters. Meanwhile, relief pitcher Eli Morgan got the win and had a critical role off the bench, going 3.0 complete innings while allowing one earned run on one hit and striking out three batters. First baseman Owen Miller was the story offensively, going 3-5 at the plate and hitting two solo homeruns in the ballgame.
For the Reds (2-4), rookie starting pitcher Nick Lodolo, who made his MLB debut in the ballgame, took the loss and went 4.0 complete innings and allowed five earned runs on seven hits along with three walked batters and four strikeouts. Catcher Tyler Stephenson was great for the team offensively, going 2-3 at the plate and hitting a two-run homerun in the 8th inning.
The Guardians next game will be the home opener against the San Francisco Giants on Friday, April 15th, with first pitch set for 7:10 p.m.