(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND OH--- The Cleveland Guardians opened up play at Progressive Field for the first time under the name Guardians Friday night against the visiting San Francisco Giants, dropping the game 4-1. There were a lot of emotions, a new name, the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in the MLB, and the Guardians also honored Lary Doby, who debuted for the then Cleveland Indians just a few weeks later.
The Guardians were up against starting pitcher Carlos Rodon, who has had the Guardians' number previously being a member of the division rival Chicago White Sox. The Guardians only totaled 3 hits on the night, coming from Jose Ramirez, Franmil Reyes, and Owen Miller, who also drove in the only run of the night for the Guardians. Meanwhile, for the Giants, hits came from Brandon Crawford, Joc Pederson, Wilmer Flores, and Mike Yastrzemski. The Guardians kept the competition tight late into the game until Joey Bart homered to left field, which took the score from a close 2-1 to an out of reach 4-1. Carlos Rodon was the winning Giants pitcher, Zach Plesac who had a solid outing in the beginning takes his first loss of the year, and Camilo Doval is credited with the save.
The Guardians get another go at it, as they continue the opening home series against the Giants Saturday evening at Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland, Cal Quantrill will be on the mound for the Guardians. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:10 pm.