Phillies 3 - Guardians 0: Cleveland Blanked Despite Strong Outing from Ortiz
After a very disappointing loss to the Phillies yesterday, the Cleveland Guardians came back today looking for victory to book end the series.
Luis Ortiz had a strong first inning for the Guards, looking like he was going to make a great start against the Phillies line up. Ortiz had a 12 pitch first inning, giving up a lead off single but getting the outs with a GIDP and a strike out on Bryce Harper. The Guardians tried to strike first offensively to give Ortiz a cushion.
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Steven Kwan and José Ramírez reached base with singles, but Daniel Schneemann flied out to left and Carlos Santana grounded into a double play to end the inning. Philadelphia ended up being the ones who struck first. Kyle Schwarber hit a lead off homer to right on the third pitch he saw to put the Phillies up 1-0. Ortiz was able to battle it out and kept the Phillies at bay despite allowing a double and a walk before striking out Johan Rojas for the final out.
Ortiz came back in the top of the third completely unphased, going 1-2-3 through the top of the order for the second time. Ortiz went 1-2-3 in the top of the fourth and allowed only a single in the top of the fifth. In the top of the sixth Bryce Harper walked, but Ortiz, again, got out of the side unscathed. Ortiz had a fantastic outing, giving up one run on four hits and two walks. In his six complete innings of work, he struck out nine before turning things over to Cade Smith.
Zach Wheeler had the Guardian's number today. Outside of the first inning, the only other time the Guardians had multiple runners on the basepath while Wheeler was pitching was during the bottom of the sixth. Steven Kwan hit a long one-out double to center and was followed by a walk from Schneemann to put runners on first and second. José lined out and Santana struck out swinging to end the inning.
Cade Smith looked great against the Phillies in the top of the seventh. Cade allowed a single to Alec Bohm and struck out J.T. Realmuto and Johan Rojas. The lead off hitter in the seventh, Max Kepler hit to shortstop Gabriel Arias who turned a great play to throw Kepler out at first.
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In the top of the eighth, Tim Herrin came on in relief. Bryson Stott drew a lead off walk and stole second base. Bryce Harper lined out to Kwan, who made a great catch at the wall, keeping the runner at second. Kyle Schwarber hit another home run, this time a two-run home run, to put the Phillies up 3-0. Matt Festa came in to finish the inning, getting Nick Castellanos out for the third out. The Guardians turned to Emmanuel Clase in the top of the ninth, pitching in a non-save situation. Clase has not pitched in a few days and needed the work. He walked J.T. Realmuto, but otherwise handled the Phillies.
Guardians hitters just could not make any significant contact tonight. The offense just could not support the great pitching effort demonstrated by Ortiz. At least this performance is coming against one of the best teams in the National League and giving the Guards an early taste of playoff caliber opponents. It is extremely positive to see Ortiz continue to have good outings and settle down after allowing a run. Hopefully Lane Thomas is returning soon and maybe some reinforcements from Columbus will arrive to shake up the line up and give some players everyday ABs with the Clippers.
The series against the Milwaukee Brewers starts tomorrow. RHP Ben Lively will get the start at home for the Guardians. First pitch is at 6:10 PM EDT.
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