CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 22: Cam Gallagher #35 and Eli Morgan #49 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrate a 6-1 win against the Oakland Athletics at Progressive Field on June 22, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio.Photo: Ron Schwane/Getty Images
The Cleveland Guardians completed their first sweep of the season by defeating the Oakland Athletics, 6-1. Despite the five-run difference this was a competitive contest; emblematic of the first two games of the series in which the A's lead in every game.
Athletics' starter JP Spears struck out eight batters through seven innings, and did not allow his first base runner with two outs in the fourth on Jose Ramirez's single. Meanwhile, Guardians' starter Logan Allen allowed two of the three A's hits and held the lineup scoreless, but tossed just four innings after throwing 89 pitches, mainly after walking the bases loaded in the fourth inning.
The A's broke the scoreless tie in the fifth off of reliever Nick Sandlin, although this was short-lived. Tony Kemp walked and reached third base on Esteury Ruiz's ground out, then scored on Aledmys Diaz's sacrifice fly to go up 1-0. However, Josh Bell tied the game with his seventh home run of the season to left field. Then after Andres Giminez singled, he scored on Myles Straw's go-ahead triple, his third this season, putting the Guardians ahead 2-1.
The A's threatened again in the seventh against reliever Enyel De Los Santos after Tyler Wade hit a leadoff single. However after recording an out, De Los Santos induced an inning-ending double play via Tony Kemp lineout, doubling up Wade at first base.
The Guardians pulled ahead in the eighth as the first six batters reached base off of Yacksel Rios. Gabriel Arias walked, then advanced to third on Myles Straw's single. With runners on first and third, Cam Gallagher walked on a wild pitch, allowing Arias to score. Next, Steven Kwan singled to load the bases, Amed Rosario and Jose Ramirez each drew a bases loaded walk. After two straight Guardians' outs, Kwan scored from third on Rios's wild pitch to Andres Gimenez, capping off a four-run inning and setting the final tally, 6-1.
With this win the Guardians match a season-high four-game winning streak, previously accomplished during the opening week against the Mariners and A's (March 31-April 3). The Guardians (36-38) will host the Milwaukee Brewers (38-36) for a three-game series starting tomorrow night at 7:10 PM. Shane Bieber (5-4, 3.51 ERA) will start for the Guardians and Wade Miley (4-2, 3.28 ERA) will start for the Brewers.