NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 02: Teammates react with James Karinchak #99 of the Cleveland Guardians as he leaves the game during the seventh inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on May 02, 2023 in the Bronx borough of New York City.Photo: Sarah Stier/Getty Images
The Guardians' offense forced Gerrit Cole into a high pitch volume early in today's contest, and took an early lead off the man who has dominated their lineup dating back to last season. Four straight hitters reached base with one out with one out in the third inning, starting with Amed Rosario and Jose Ramirez singles. Next, Josh Naylor roped an RBI double down the right-field line, scoring Rosario and allowing Ramirez to reach third base, and Josh Bell battled through a nine-pitch at-bat and earned a walk; loading the bases. Finally, Andres Gimenez grounded out to first baseman, Anthony Rizzo, scoring Ramirez and putting the Guardians up 2-0. However, going 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position, leaving 10 runners on base, and striking out 11 times contributed to a low-scoring output and eventual loss.
Although Gerrit Cole took a no-decision, he struck out eight batters and quelled further damage beyond third inning. Cole has been nearly invincible at Yankee Stadium this season, allowing just one run total across his previous four starts and striking out at least eight batters in three of them.
On the other side, the New York bright lights did not phase rookie pitcher Tanner Bibee as he shined in his second career start. He allowed two hits and striking out five batters through 5 1/3 innings. However, with two outs in the fifth he took a line drive to his non-throwing hand and appeared in jeopardy for an early exit, but he stayed in the game and induced an inning-ending flyout two pitches later. Bibee returned in the sixth and retired the first batter, Aaron Hicks, before giving up his first career home run to Anthony Volpe to right field - at 345 feet it would have been a flyout in most ballparks. Bibee then allowed a double to Gleyber Torres before giving way to James Karinchak. Responsible for Torres at second base, Bibee lost his bid for a win after Anthony Rizzo singled in Torres, tying the game at two.
In the seventh, Karinchak retired Harrison Bader, but allowed a solo home run to Willie Calhoun and the Yankees to take the lead, 3-2. After facing two more batters, Karinchak yielded to Eli Morgan who finished the seventh, but gave up a Yankees insurance run in the eighth. Then, Anthony Volpe hit a lead off single to left, then stole both second and third base between outs from Gleyber Torres and Anthony Rizzo. DJ LeMahieu singled him in to double the Yankees' lead, 4-2, and cement the final score.
Reliever Wandy Peralta took the win despite tossing 2/3 of an inning. Karinchak took the loss after allowing the go-ahead run - the fifth he has given up this season.
Despite the loss, the Guardians have a chance to win this series and split the season affair against the Yankees in the final regular season meeting tomorrow at 7:05 PM. The starting pitchers will face the opposing team for the second time this season. Shane Bieber (2-1, 3.11 ERA) was victorious in the series opener against the Yankees during the Guardians' opening homestand. In his third of his five quality starts this season, Bieber tossed seven innings and gave up just five hits and two runs in the Guardians' 3-2 win on April 10th. Two days later, Yankees' Clarke Schmidt (0-3, 6.84 ERA) took a no-decision in the team's 4-3 win over the Guardians. He allowed three runs on six hits through in four innings.