The Cleveland Guardians were able to defeat the Kansas City Royals on Monday by a final score of 10-7. The win for Cleveland splits the four-game series at two a piece for each ball club.
The Guardians started out hot early in the 1st inning, with designated hitter Franmil Reyes hitting into a double play to score a run and shortstop Ahmed Rosario hitting an RBI single, taking a 2-0 lead. The Royals answered back in the bottom of the 3rd inning with an RBI single by All-Star catcher Salvador Perez, cutting the lead to 2-1. Guardians outfielder Oscar Mercado increased the Cleveland lead with a two-run homerun in the top of the fourth inning to take a 4-1 lead. The bottom of the 4th inning was huge for the Royals with second baseman Nicky Lopez hitting into a fielder’s choice and scoring a run, outfielder Whit Merrifield hitting an RBI groundout to score a run, and outfielder Andrew Benintendi hitting an RBI single to tie the game at 4-4 through four innings.
The game stayed tied for some innings, but in the top of the 7th inning Cleveland was able to answer back with RBI singles from All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez and Reyes, taking a 6-4 lead. The Royals scored one run in the bottom of the 7th inning due to third baseman Hunter Dozier hitting into a fielder’s choice, cutting the lead to 6-5. The Guardians answered back with a bases clearing triple by rookie outfielder Steven Kwan in the 8th inning and an RBI groundout by Mercado in the 9th inning, taking a 10-5 lead. The Royals continued to show fight, with Benintendi hitting a two-run homerun in the bottom of the 9th inning, but it was too little too late as Cleveland won by a final score of 10-7.
For the Guardians (2-2), starting pitcher Aaron Civale went 3.1 innings pitched with three strikeouts while allowing four hits and three walks with two earned runs, while relief pitcher Logan Allen got the win for going 2.0 innings pitched with a strikeout.
For the Royals (2-2), starting pitcher Carlos Hernandez went 4.1 innings pitched with a strikeout while allowing six hits and two walks with four earned runs, while relief pitcher Jake Brentz gets the loss for going 0.2 innings and allowing one hit and two earned runs.
The Guardians next game will be a road matchup with the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday, April 12th, with first pitch set for 4:10 p.m.
photo courtesy of wkyc.com