Guardians 5 Reds 2
Jose Ramirez annihilated a 417-foot three-run homer off Emilio Pagan to break a 2-2 8th inning tie.
The Guardians collection of five bullpen arms took a perfect game to the 7th, before TJ Friedl broke up the bid with a leadoff bunt single. In all, the Guardians used seven pitchers, all with sub 2.00 ERA's. Closer Emmanuel Clase recorded his 47th save and dropped his ERA to 0.61.
The Reds loaded the bases with nobody out in the 9th, but Spencer Steer lined out, Ty France struck out and Jake Fraley grounded out.
It’s the 50th time the Reds have scored fewer than three runs in a game. The Reds have dropped three straight in falling to 76-83.
Trailing 2-0, Friedl’s 7th inning bunt hit was met with boos by the Cleveland crowd. Not sure why. It brought the tying run to the plate. And Friedl scored on an error to make it 2-1.
Jakob Junis offered another quality outing: 5 IN, 4 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 3 K, HR, 72 pitches. He’s allowed 7 runs over his last 38 innings (1.66) since August 5. Every time I look at him I think Eugenio Suarez.
Steven Kwan lined the second pitch from Junis for a leadoff home run in his first game back from the IL. I love watching Kwan and Ramirez hit.
Bullpen:
Santillan 1.0, Farmer 1.0, Pagan 1.0, 3 R
Jonathan India cleared concussion protocol after being hit in the head by a pitch last night, but was not in the starting lineup. He did pinch hit in the 8th and grounded into a double play.
How they scored:
7th Elly infield single, Friedl scored on error, 2-1 Guardians.
8th Espinal single, Fraley scores on error, 2-2