Guardians Sunk By Pirates Late And Denied Sweep In 7-5 Loss

Cleveland Guardians v Pittsburgh Pirates

PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 19: Jose Ramirez #11 of the Cleveland Guardians scores on a bunt single in the fourth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates during inter-league play at PNC Park on July 19, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.Photo: Justin K. Aller / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images

Entering today's matchup nearing a sweep, the Cleveland Guardians had outscored the Pittsburgh Pirates 21-1 across the first two meetings, both double-digit outputs (11-0 on Monday, 10-1 yesterday), and both exceeding their run total in a three-game sweep at the hands of the Texas Rangers. The first three innings were quiet, but the outcome appeared promising as the offense jumped ahead while starter Aaron Civale held the Pirates to one-hit through four innings.

Jose Ramirez ignited the offense with a single up the middle then advanced to third on Josh Bell's single. Andres Gimenez successfully bunted Ramirez in on a safety squeeze down the first base line, preventing the Pirates' infielders from making a play, and putting the Guardians up 1-0. The offense exploded in the fifth for three more runs on a pair of RBI hits against Pirates' starter Rich Hill. After Myles Straw and Steven Kwan reached base and pulled off a double steal of second and third, they both scored on Amed Rosario's double to deep center field. Then Josh Bell drove in Rosario on a liner to center, extending Cleveland's lead to 4-0.

Nevertheless, the Pirates cut the Guardians' lead in half in the bottom of the frame. Henry Davis and Jared Triolo led off the inning with back-to-back singles, then Davis scored from third on Nick Gonzales's single. Later with two outs, Jack Suwinski battled Guardians' starter Aaron Civale through a 10-pitch at-bat and mustered a double down the right field line, scoring Triolo and cutting the Guardians' lead to 4-2.

Pittsburgh struck again in the seventh and cruised ahead against the Guardians' bullpen. With one out, having already pitched an inning, Nick Sandlin walked Nick Gonzalez and turned it over to Sam Hentges. However the next two batters singled to load the bases, leading to a critical moment: Bryan Reynolds grounded into what was initially called an inning-ending double-play, but the Pirates challenged the out call at first base and won. Although the Guardians got the force at second base, Gonzalez scored from third, bringing the Pirates within one run. Then after former Cleveland player Carlos Santana walked, Ji Man Choi delivered a two-run single to put the Pirates ahead 5-4. Enyel De Los Santos took over for Hentges, but walked the next batter, and then surrendered a two-run single to Jared Triolo, putting the Guardians in a 7-4 hole.

Josh Bell launched a solo home run in the eighth against Ryan Borucki to bring Cleveland within two, but the offense failed to score again as the Guardians depart PNC Park after a 7-5 loss. Despite out hitting the Pirates today, 10-9, and outscoring them overall 25-8 in the series, the Guardians were unable to secure their second sweep this season and return to the .500 mark.

The Guardians (47-49) are off tomorrow and will host the Philadelphia Phillies (52-42) in the first game of a three-game series on Friday at 7:10 PM with Gavin Williams scheduled to start.


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