CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 12: Anthony Volpe #11 of the New York Yankees forces out Jose Ramirez #11 of the Cleveland Guardians at second base and throws out Josh Naylor #22 at first base to complete the double play during the eighth inning at Progressive Field on April 12, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio.Photo: Ron Schwane/Getty Images
For the second straight game the Guardians' offense started fast, but was held scoreless after the early innings in defeat: this time losing 4-3 and the series to the Yankees 2-1.
With Steven Kwan and Jose Ramirez in scoring position, Josh Naylor hit a sinking pop up to centerfielder Aaron Hicks. Sliding for the catch attempt, Hicks appeared to catch it and double up Ramirez at second base which would have ended the inning. The Yankees cleared the field, but after the Guardians challenged the out-call a 10-minute delay ensued. It seemed unclear whether the Guardians challenged the call within the 15-second time limit, if at all. When it got overturned Kwan scored from third, Ramirez advanced to third, and Naylor was awarded a single while Yankees' manager Aaron Boone got ejected after arguing the play for several minutes. Furthering the damage in the third, Amed Rosario blasted a solo home run to extend the lead to 3-0.
The Yankees rallied in the fifth when Kyle Higashioka hit a two-out two-run double off the centerfield wall, inches from clearing the fence, scoring Oswaldo Cabrera and Isiah Kiner-Falefa. On that play after Andres Gimenez received the ball from Myles Straw, his relay intended to throw out Kiner-Falefa at home plate deflected off of the second base umpire Larry Vanover in the head. It was ruled a throwing error. Then in the seventh, Franchy Cordero homered for the second straight game, this time a solo shot, tying the game at three.
Emmanuel Clase entered in the ninth and got Anthony Rizzo to fly out, but Giancarlo Stanton singled, and reached second base on a throwing error. Clase struck out Franchy Cordero, but gave up the go-ahead RBI single to Oswaldo Cabrera, scoring Stanton. Mounting a comeback attempt the Guardians loaded the bases on a hit-by-pitch and two walks, but were unable to score against Clay Holmes who earned his fourth save for the Yankees.
Wandy Peralta earned the win after pitching a scoreless eighth inning while Emmanuel Clase took the loss after giving up an unearned run in the ninth. For the Guardians and in his MLB debut, starter Peyton Battenfield struck out three batters and allowed two runs on four hits in 4 2/3 innings.
The Guardians and Yankees will meet again at Yankee Stadium from May 1-3. Meanwhile the Guardians are off tomorrow and will begin a three-game road series against the Washington Nationals on Friday at 7:05 PM with Cal Quantrill on the mound.