Game Recap: Royals 0 - Guardians 7

Aries Season? No, It’s Arias Season

The Cleveland Guardians came into the game on Friday against the Kansas City Royals after sweeping the Chicago White Sox to get back to .500 baseball sitting 6-6. The last time these two met, the Guardians took two of three in the opening season series in Kansas City. Tanner Bibee got the start for the home side while the Royals gave Kris Bubic the nod. The Guardians continue their winning ways as they pick up their fourth straight victory Friday night as they shut out the Royals 7-0.

This was the Gabriel Arias game as he went three-for-four with a three-run home run in the bottom of the fourth. His second of the season was a huge one as it was the game-winning knock to lead the way for the Guardians. Arias’ home run had an exit velo of 106.2 MPH, talk about some serious heat going 394 feet. What’s more impressive was that it was another oppo taco shot and it was against the Royals, again. That’s two opposite-field home runs versus the Royals, once in Kansas City and now in Cleveland.

Arias was even getting done with the glove, not just the bat. He was able to track into shallow right field in the top of the sixth to catch the ball and throw it back to first to get a double play. Furthermore, he made some phenomenal tags at second base as he caught some bullets from Austin Hedges to get runners out. Offense and defense on display for Arias in the Guarians’ 7-0 shutout win. Have a night Gabby.

Other notable hitters:

• Steven Kwan went one for five with an RBI and a run scored
• Carlos Santana went one for three with two walks
• Nolan Jones went one for one with a run scored
• Angel Martinez is hitting 1.000 for the season after going three for three with an RBI and made a great catch in center to end the game.

The Guardians' offense got seven runs on 11 hits. Just an offensive display after winning two games in the Chicago White Sox series with three hits or fewer. Also, they sent all nine batters up in the bottom of the eighth inning that saw them score four runs - an absolute hit parade on the corner of Carnagie and Ontario.

Pitching was on full display in the Guardians win as the pitching staff shut out the Royals allowing only five hits over the nine innings. Bibee went 4 ²⁄₃ innings only allowing three hits in his outing. He did walk four but also struck out four as well. You could tell he did not want to come out of the game, even if he was close to 100 pitches at that point. Shows how much of a gamer he is.

Tim Herrin picked up his second win of the season after pitching 1.1 innings allowing only one hit. The dynamic duo of Cade Smith and Hunter Gaddis combined to pitch two innings, having three strikeouts - Smith with two - and only allowing one hit, Gaddis. Both of those guys just keep building off their spectacular 2024 seasons with both of them staying at 0.00 ERA after 12 games into the early 2025 season.

Triston McKenzie came into the top of the ninth to shut the door and complete the shutout win. He only allowed the walk in his one inning of work and that’s all you needed from him. His ERA dropped to 5.79 on the season after tonight, but he was a one-pitch pitcher only throwing three curveballs, none in the zone.

Overall, what a complete team win in every facet of the game. Hitting, fielding, and pitching. Up and down the whole roster the Guardians got it done for their fourth consecutive win. They’re back to a game over .500 at 7-6 for the first time since the opening series back in Kansas City. What a way to start a weekend back in Cleveland.