The Cleveland Guardians had a chance to win their series with Detroit but an offensive dud led to a disappointing 2-1 loss. Cleveland won Saturday’s contest by a comfortable 8-1 margin.
While Cleveland had seven hits to Detroit’s four, zero came from the top three batters in the lineup. Myles Straw, Amed Rosario, and Jose Ramirez combined to go 0-11 with Ramirez walking once. Adding the nine hole hitter Steven Kwan to this total makes it a disappointing 0-14. Kwan did reach on a fielder’s choice in the 5th.
Tristan McKenzie surrendered solo home runs to Harold Castro and Jeimer Candelario. Candelario came on for an injured Robbie Grossman in the 3rd. Besides the home runs it was a good outing for McKenzie. McKenzie struck out eight batters while walking one in 7.2 innings. This was the type of performance that should have led to a Guardians win, but the offense let him down.
Cleveland did score a run on a Luke Maile sacrifice fly in the 7th. Andres Gimenez would be the lone Guardians player to come across home plate in the contest.
A return home is in order as the Guardians will take on the Royals for a three game set beginning on Memorial Day.
