The Cleveland Guardians lost to the San Diego Padres, 5-4, in the first game of a traditional doubleheader after yesterday's game was postponed due to weather. It was the Guardians' first home game after returning from a 10-day road trip between New York and California.
Padres' reliever Steven Wilson earned his third win and closer Taylor Rogers earned his tenth save. Guardians' starter Zach Plesac lost his third game this season, allowing five runs (four earned) in five innings with four walks and strikeouts each.
The Padres scored the first three runs of the game - Eric Hosmer hit an RBI single for one run in the first inning, and Manny Machado hit a two-run home run in the third. For the Guardians, Steven Kwan responded with an RBI single in the third inning to put the Guardians on the board. In the fifth, Josh Naylor tied the game at three with a two-run single; one of his two hits.
The Padres took the lead for good in the sixth after Austin Nola doubled in a run, and Jake Cronenworth hit a sacrifice fly for another. Amed Rosario delivered Cleveland's fourth run in the seventh, but the offense did not score again. The Guardians out-hit the Padres seven to six, and Cleveland's pitchers combined for ten strikeouts compared to San Diego's five.
Padres' starting pitcher Mike Clevinger, formerly with Cleveland, threw 4 2/3 innings, allowed one run on four hits, walked three hitters, and struck out four. This was his first start since Cleveland traded him to San Diego during the 2020 season.
The Padres improve to 16-8, and the Guardians drop to 10-13. Game two will feature a pitching matchup between Padres' MacKenzie Gore and Guardians' Cal Quantrill.