News and Notes: Guardians Win Fifth in a Row
News and Notes for Tuesday, May 21st, 2024
The Guardians designated Ramon Laureano for assignment, called up Johnathan Rodriguez, and executed a very business-like win over the New York Mets on Monday night, 3-1.
For the second straight game, the Guardians scored early, with a two-out single from David Fry driving in Jose Ramirez and Josh Naylor.
Delivering once more!
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) May 20, 2024
David Fry drives in two runs with a two-out opposite-field single to give the @CleGuardians a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/UjDZDEx5xI
Fry had a single, a walk and a stolen base and has certainly made the case for getting everyday at-bats somewhere... I’m not sure where that happens when Kwan returns, because Kyle Manzardo is figuring things out:
There's that Man-(Zardo) again!
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) May 20, 2024
Kyle Manzardo comes through with a one-out RBI double to give the @CleGuardians a 3-1 lead over the Mets in the fourth inning.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/5pa04flTdE
So, if you want to get your young catcher who is framing exceptionally well right, if you want Manzardo to figure things out, maybe David Fry becomes more of a full-time left-fielder with spot starts at catcher and DH? Or, maybe Tyler Freeman moves back to the infield and Fry moves to left and Kwan moves to center? Seems unlikely the team will move Kwan to center coming off of a hamstring injury, however. This will be an interesting process to follow, but, man, is it helpful to have a versatile defender like Fry who hits anywhere you play him!
"Everything I do, I try to just be a good baseball player."
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) May 21, 2024
Utility man David Fry is grateful for the respect of his manager, Stephen Vogt, and teammates, who appreciate the way he plays the game and his willingness to do anything to help the @CleGuardians win.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/42mH1AuvI1
Ben Lively was back to being good, giving up one solo home run, six hits, zero walks and striking out seven in five and two-thirds. Nick Sandlin performed his fireman role admirably and then scoreless innings from Scott Barlow, Cade Smith and Emmanuel Clase closed out the game. Guardians also atoned for some sloppy defense Sunday with some nice defensive plays Monday:
The old 1-6-5-3 double play!
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) May 20, 2024
The @CleGuardians turn a unique double play to short-circuit the Mets' half of the second inning.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/R7YkaqRcqY
The Mets have a very good bullpen so it will be important for the Guardians to score off New York starting pitching in this series, and, so far, things are going to plan as they got to Trevor Megill, who is a solid pitcher, for three runs.
I enjoyed hearing from Ben Lively after the game:
"I snap back into that calmer head space a lot quicker than I used to."
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) May 21, 2024
Starting pitcher Ben Lively tells the media how he's been able to hit his stride with the @CleGuardians after struggling in stints with Philadelphia, Kansas City and Cincinnati.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/Ri4uhlY61v
And from Kyle Manzardo, who seems like a peach.
"I'm able to pump the brakes a little bit and focus on playing baseball."
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) May 21, 2024
Kyle Manzardo tells @DreKnott on how fun it is to be playing at the #MLB level and contributing to a @CleGuardians winning team.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/zjw0oMxDih
Francisco Lindor returned to mostly cheers and says he misses Cleveland, mostly winning here. That comment has to sting if you’re a Mets fan or owner Steve Cohen.
I enjoyed this note from Mike Hattery on Cleveland on Johnathan Rodriguez.
So, I have had Rodriguez concerns but a really positive indicator in 2024s limited sample:
— Hatman (@snarkyhatman) May 20, 2024
He is 44th lowest (good) of 131 qualified hitters in the international league in SwStr% in 2024 at 9.8%.
In 2023, min 200 PAs, Rodriguez was 236th of 255 in SwStr% at 16.7% https://t.co/uvqf6Kigt1
We also wrote up a little piece on his arrival yesterday.
Charlie Condon and the Georgia Bulldogs begin SEC postseason play vs. LSU this morning at 10:30AM EST, Travis Bazzana and Oregon State play in the Pac-12 tournament tomorrow vs. Arizona State at 1pm EST, and late-rising JJ Wetherholt plays today for West Virginia at 1:30pm EST today in the Big 12 Tournament vs. TCU.
Around MLB:
The Twins got crushed by a bad team.
The Royals refuse to lose, beating the Tigers.
The White Sox are back in full free fall.
The Mariners scored four in the ninth to shock the Yankees.
Christian Yelich completed a straight steal of home.