SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MARCH 30: Ty France #23 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his three run home run against the Cleveland Guardians during the eighth inning during Opening Day at T-Mobile Park on March 30, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)Photo: Getty Images/Steph Chambers
SEATTLE, WA--- A national holiday for some, MLB opening day, didn't go as planned for the Guardians, losing to the Mariners 3-0 at T-Mobile Park, home of the 2023 MLB All Star game.
The Guardians had some good news to report before the game started, as all-star 2nd baseman Andres Gimenez would officially sign his 7 year $106.5 million extension that includes a club option before the game, along with Gimenez, the Guardians also extended reliever Trevor Stephan for at least the next 4 years for $10 million, he also has a club option.
Josh Bell would be making his highly anticipated debut for the Guardians after signing with Cleveland in the off season, Bell would get 1 hit in 4 at bats in the clean up spot. The game was what would be expected with 2 aces on the mound in Shane Bieber and Luis Castillo, Bieber would pitch 6 innings for the Guardians, giving up 6 hits, 0 runs while striking out 3. Castillo was dominate tonight with his curveball, going 6 innings as well, giving up only 1 hit while striking out 6 Guardians batters.
Things took a turn when James Karinchak came in for Cleveland in the bottom of the 8th, he got ahead of Mariner shortstop J.P Crawford 0-2 in the count, but would then get hit with a pitch clock violation to give Crawford a free ball, the fans got into it at that point, and it affected Karinchak as he would then send a pitch high over the zone to the backstop, eventually walking Crawford on what was a disputed foul tip on a check swing that couldn't be reviewed. Later on that inning Ty France would hit a 3 run homer clearing Crawford and Kolten Wong off the bases scoring the games' only runs.
The Guardians and Mariners are back at it again, same time same place, first pitch at 10:10 pm, due to a conflict with the Cavaliers playing at 7:30, your flagship WTAM 1100 will join the Guardians in progress tomorrow night following the Cavaliers, you can listen as always on 1100 AM, 106.9 FM, the free iHeartRadio app, or HERE