CLEVELAND — The Guardians began a three-game series against Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels at Progressive Field Friday, May 30, and dropped the opening game, 4-1.
Trout, for the first time in his career, started in the No. 5 spot in the lineup.
For the Guardians, left fielder Steven Kwan was in his normal leadoff spot after dealing with right wrist inflammation. Manager Stephen Vogt noted that the club wanted to be cautious with Thursday’s off-day, but that they feel they avoided any issues.
Lane Thomas was placed on the injured list with plantar fasciitis just before first pitch. A corresponding roster move will be made Saturday.
Follow along for live score updates, analysis and highlights from Friday’s game.
Recap: Guardians fall to Angels
The Guardians were shut out until the ninth inning, when a Nolan Jones RBI single put them on the board and brought the potential tying run to the plate with two outs. Steven Kwan, though, popped out to end the game, and Cleveland fell to the Angels, 4-1.
The Guardians made it interesting in the ninth, but it was a night in which the offense just never could string enough hits together.
Andrew Walters can’t seem to catch a break.
Walters made his season debut this week following a lengthy stint on the injured list that featured multiple setbacks. Now, it seems he might have sustained yet another.
Walters threw a pitch to Mike Trout in the ninth inning and then immediately reached for his arm pit/shoulder/upper back area on his throwing arm. He appeared to be in serious discomfort. Trainers checked on him, and he quickly left the game.
Cade Smith will have to enter the game in a rush, and in a sub-optimal time to use him.
In the top of the ninth, Jorge Soler absolutely destroyed an Andrew Walters offering for a solo home run to the Home Run Porch to give the Angels a 4-0 lead.
The Guardians brought the tying run to the plate but again came up short.
With two outs in the eighth, Angel Martinez singled to right field and Jose Ramirez followed with a walk.
That walk extended Ramirez’s on-base streak to 26 games, though it appears likely that unless the game goes into extra innings, his 21-game hit streak will be snapped.
Kyle Manzardo then struck out to end the inning and the threat.
Guardians fans haven’t had much to cheer for while fighting the rain tonight, and the Angels now have a 3-0 lead.
Tim Herrin entered the game with two outs and a runner on third, who scored easily via a passed ball by Bo Naylor.
Nolan Schanuel singled and Taylor Ward drew a walk, leading to Jorge Soler, who singled home Schanuel to make it 3-0.
Luis Ortiz finished with one earned run on seven hits with five strikeouts in six innings.
The Guardians lineup simply hasn’t had any muscle tonight. It’s been rollover to second base time and time again. Cleveland has just four hits.
The Guardians loaded the bases in the fourth inning but couldn’t make it count.
With a runner on first, Carlos Santana singled to right-center field, and Daniel Schneemann followed with a walk to load the bases with two outs for Gabriel Arias.
But Jose Soriano got the best of him, striking out Arias to leave the bases juiced.
The Angels will take a 1-0 lead into the fifth inning. This Guardians lineup just doesn’t have the length needed right now after Steven Kwan and Jose Ramirez.
Guardians starting pitcher was hit with a comebacker off the bat of Taylor Ward. Ortiz corralled it and threw it away, putting runners on the corners.
Ortiz was checked out by trainers and pitching coach Carl Willis and remained in the game.
The error was bailed out via a terrific pick-and-throw by Jose Ramirez at third base to end the inning.
Meanwhile, the grounds crew is in position to pull the tarp, though the rain is lessening for the moment.
The rain arrived early. A large number of fans are seeking cover as the clouds have opened up. The Guardians and Angels are in the third inning and playing on for now.
The Angels have struck first.
A walk and a single off Luis Ortiz put two runners on for Jo Adell, who hit an RBI single to right field to make it 1-0 in the second inning.
The Guardians, meanwhile, have been quiet against Jose Soriano, collecting one hit in the first two innings, which resulted in a double play.
And while all of this is happening, the sky around Progressive Field is beginning to look ominous. Weather apps say rain is on the way in about 30 minutes, or around 8:15 p.m.
Guardians game in a rain delay?
The weather is holding up so far as the Guardians and Angels prepare for first pitch. It remains about 50 percent each hour, with it little more possible for rain around 9 p.m.
As of 5:45 p.m., the game has a green light.
Below is some pregame information.
Guardians lineup vs Angels
- Steven Kwan, LF
- Angel Martinez, CF
- Jose Ramirez, 3B
- Kyle Manzardo, DH
- Carlos Santana, 1B
- Daniel Schneemann, 2B
- Gabriel Arias, SS
- Bo Naylor, C
- Nolan Jones, RF
MLB standings: AL Central Division
The American League Central Division standings entering Friday, May 30:
- Tigers 37-20
- Twins 30-25
- Guardians 30-25
- Royals 30-27
- White Sox 18-38
Guardians schedule | Upcoming games
The Guardians begin a three-game series against the Angels at Progressive Field Friday night before going on the road to play the Yankees in New York.
How can I watch, stream or listen to the Guardians vs Dodgers game?
Monday’s game can be viewed locally on AT&T U-verse (channel 1736), COX (channel 80), DIRECTV Satellite and Streaming (channel 662), FuboTV and Spectrum (channel 1306). It can also be streamed via MLB’s direct-to-consumer streaming subscription (CLEGuardians.TV) for $99.99 a season or $19.99 a month. And it’ll be available on the radio via WTAM 1100, WMMS 100.7 and WARF 1350.
