News and Notes - Jhonkensy Noel Goes Yard in First At-Bat

Guardians lose the game, but win the series.

The Cleveland Guardians lost to the Baltimore Orioles 2-4 on Wednesday night. Carlos Carrasco took the mound for the Guardians in his 14th start of the season. In what has become a standard start for Cookie, he struggled with keeping the pitch count down. Gunnar Henderson led off the bottom of the 1st inning with a single. Adley Rutschman was walked and the runners advanced on a force out. Mountcastle was walked as the 4th batter in the inning, but Cookie was able to get out of the inning unscathed with a light umpire bamboozling from Austin Hedges.

In the 2nd inning Baltimore tied the game with a Gunnar Henderson single, scoring Jorge Mateo. Carrasco was able to go 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 3rd and was helped again by Austin Hedges to end the bottom of the 4th. Cedric Mullins in an attempt to steal 2nd, was thrown out by Hedges. It was Mullins’ 3rd caught stealing so far this season. In the bottom of the 5th, Hedges did it again. This time the catcher threw out Jorge Mateo at 2nd for the 1st out of the inning and Mateo’s 2nd CS.

Unfortunately the next batter, Gunnar Henderson, would bite Carrasco again, this time with a solo shot to center field.

Cookie ended the night throwing 91 pitches in 5.0 IP. He gave up 6 H, 2 R, 2 BB, and recorded 3 Ks. His ERA is currently sitting at 5.27.

The loss went to relief pitcher Xzavion Curry, who, despite the loss, was pivotal to the team. With the Baltimore series already won, a Royals series starting tonight, and no off days until Monday, Curry finished the game.

Curry went 3.0 IP, giving up 3 H, 2 R, and striking out 1 batter.

The offense was able to put up a couple of solo shots, but didn’t string together hits like usual.

The big hit of the night came in the 2nd inning. Jhonkensy Noel recorded his first major league hit, RBI, and home run on the 3rd pitch of the at bat - a fast ball up and away.

If you are unfamiliar with the 22 year old, catch up with Quincy’s article. It just so happened that AAA Columbus Clippers were in a rain delay and were watching his debut in the clubhouse.

In the top of the 5th, Gabriel Arias continued his insane Camden Yards tour with a solo HR to left field.

Outside of a couple of singles and an Austin Hedges double, Cleveland offense was relatively quiet.

Not much can be said about this loss. The team took 2 of 3 against a team they could quite possibly face in the playoffs. The series win was locked in and, with the Royals series upon us, Steven Vogt managed this game really well. Sometimes you have to lose a battle to win a war and Vogt continues to impress me with his situational management. They are going into game 1 of this Royals series with a completely rested bullpen and a rested Josh Naylor.

The Cleveland Guardians fall to 51-27.

AL Central Standings:

Cleveland Guardians - 51-27

Minnesota Twins - 43-36 - 8.5 GB

Kansas City Royals - 44-38 - 9.0 GB

Detroit Tigers - 37-43 - 15.0 GB

Chicago White Sox - 21-61 - 32.0 GB

Despite the loss the Guardians are still sitting atop the American League standings with the best record in the AL and the 2nd best record in the league. They are behind the Philadelphia Phillies who are 53-27 with a .663 win percentage.

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Cleveland Guardians News:

Cleveland and Austin Hedges fan Chris Rose (JomBoy Media) made a great observation about the catcher:

Jhonkensy Noel became the 4th Cleveland hitter to hit a HR in their first at bat:

Around the League:

Shohei Ohtani breaks franchise RBI record.

Confusion in Anaheim as the A’s record a very rare out.

Jackson Chourio and Andruw Monasterio lead Brewers to exciting win against the Rangers in extras.