'We need to relax': Guardians' struggles continue, players meet after Sonny Gray nearly perfect

Yahoo

29-06-2025

CLEVELAND — Some may look at the current state of the Guardians and say the team is at a crossroads.
They stumbled into the final weekend of June at 40-40. Sure, they're still in the thick of the wild card race. Winning the American League Central Division for a second straight year may be a pipe dream, though.
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There are disturbing signs. The Guardians defense has been shoddy and the offense has looked lifeless. St. Louis' Sonny Gray held them to just one hit in a near perfect game in the Cardinals' 5-0 win at Progressive Field on June 27.
It was the second time in as many days the Guardians were shut out. They totaled just three hits in the two games. They also committed six errors.
What gives?
"I think a lot of us are trying to do too much and maybe I can be an example of this, too," infielder Daniel Schneemann said. "We're not having a lot of fun right now. We need to do a better job of bringing more energy and staying positive."
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray delivers a first-inning pitch against the Guardians, June 27, 2025, in Cleveland.
The Guardians held a players meeting afterward. No specifics were discussed. It came on the heels of three losses in four games to start the homestand.
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"I think what we need to do best is come in and work hard," Schneemann said. "Once we shift our energy, I think the work will start to translate."
Manager Stephen Vogt feels his players are trying to be perfect.
Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo tosses the ball to first in the third inning against the St. Louis Cardinals, June 27, 2025, in Cleveland.
"We need to relax," Vogt said. "We need to just take a deep breath, take a step back and just go play baseball.
"The mistakes we're making are mental. They're not physical. We're sped up and we just need to be better. We need to slow down and remember we're a really good baseball team.
"We're the most prepared team. We practice the best. We're just not playing relaxed. In this game you have to be relaxed. It's a slow-paced game. When you're tense, you don't move as well."
Guardians starting pitcher Luis Ortiz delivers a pitch in the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals, June 27, 2025, in Cleveland.
Starter Luis Ortiz committed the Guardians' two errors. His throwing error on a pickoff attempt with two outs in the third was followed by Cardinals right fielder Alec Burleson's three-run homer. It gave St. Louis a 3-0 lead.
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That was more than enough support for Gray. He retired the first 14 hitters he faced before Nolan Jones singled with two outs in the fifth. Gray regrouped and retired the last 13 hitters for his first complete game since 2017. He threw just 89 pitches (66 strikes) and struck out 11.
"He had everything working," Vogt said. "His command. Where he was putting every pitch. I think the only pitch he left in the strike zone was the one Nolan got the base hit."
Masyn Winn (left) and Alec Burleson of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrate after scoring on Burleson's two-run home run in the third inning against the Guardians, June 27, 2025, in Cleveland.
Vogt caught Gray when they were teammates with the Athletics. The one-hit shutout reminded Vogt a lot of another gem Gray threw at Progressive Field.
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"In 2015, a two-hit shutout," Vogt said. "I liked that one better."
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This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Sonny Gray holds Guardians to one hit, Cleveland holds players meeting