The Cleveland Guardians fell to the Kansas City Royals on the road on Wednesday night by a final score of 2-1. The loss prevents Cleveland from completing a sweep in the road series against the Royals, while also snapping a two-game win streak.
For Cleveland (70-65), the only run for the Guardians came in the 4th inning when first baseman Owen Miller hit an RBI single to take a 1-0 lead. The lead stayed that way until the 9th inning, when closer Emmanuel Clase blew the save opportunity which snapped a streak of 25 straight saves and his first blown save since May 9th. Starting pitcher Cody Morris went 4.0 complete shutout innings while striking out two batters and allowing three hits, while closer Emmanuel Clase suffers his fourth loss of the season for allowing one hit and three walks for two earned runs in the 9th inning.
For Kansas City (56-82), the Royals were scoreless until the bottom of the 9th inning when catcher MJ Melendez hit an RBI single to tie the game, while catcher Salvador Perez hit a sacrifice fly to win the game for Kansas City. Starting pitcher Zack Greinke went 6.0 complete innings, striking out two batters and allowing six hits and one walk for an earned run. Relief pitcher Scott Barlow got his sixth win of the season for going 1.0 inning and not allowing a hit in the 9th inning.
The Guardians will next be on the road to begin a critical three-game series with the Minnesota Twins on Friday, September 9th, with first pitch set for 8:10 p.m.