Game 38 Recap 5/12/23 | Guardians Lose 4-5 vs Angels

3 Observations from the Game

1 – 9th inning issues

After Josh Naylor’s 8th inning HR, it felt like the Guards were going to get a thrilling victory against a talented Angels club, and then the 9th inning happened.  Emmanuel Clase, the Guardians all-star closer, has not been as sharp in 2023 and gave up a lead-off double to Mike Trout that ended up haunting Clase as three batters later he scored on a ground ball to Andres Gimenez, who made a poor throw to home.  The next batter got the sac fly to clinch it for the Angels.  Tough and costly loss for Cleveland using all the big guns in the bullpen, and can’t seal the victory. 

2 – Guardians getting some hits

Three hitters tonight for Cleveland came through with multiple hits: Amed Rosario, Jose Ramirez, and Gimenez. Good to see the Guards finally have multiple key hitters go off in the same game.

3 – Nick Sandlin 

Sandlin gave the Guards a chance to win the game with his fantastic 5th inning magic, getting out of a bases-loaded jam while not giving up a run.  Sandlin, who has struggled recently, deserves the nod for his great effort tonight. 

Game Summary

The Los Angeles Angels ended a 10-game losing streak at Progressive Field by rallying for two runs in the ninth inning against Cleveland closer Emmanuel Clase, winning 5-4 on Friday night. Brandon Drury’s sacrifice fly off Clase allowed the Angels to take their first victory in Cleveland since August 3, 2018. The Angels had previously lost 21 out of 22 games on the road against the Guardians since 2015.

Matt Moore earned the win after pitching two innings for the Angels. In the ninth inning, Carlos Estévez loaded the bases for Cleveland, but he struck out Will Brennan to secure his ninth save.

Mike Trout started the Angels’ comeback with a leadoff double in the ninth inning off Clase. Trout advanced to third on Anthony Rendon’s single and scored when Hunter Renfroe hit a grounder to second baseman Andrés Giménez. Giménez threw wide of home, allowing Renfroe to reach first safely and Trout to score. The ball skipped away from catcher Cam Gallagher, and Brett Phillips advanced to third before Drury hit his sac fly.

Shohei Ohtani didn’t get a hit in his two at-bats, but he reached base three times on two walks and one catcher’s interference for the Angels. In the eighth inning, Josh Naylor hit a 442-foot home run, giving Cleveland a 4-3 lead.

Amed Rosario hit his fourth triple of the season in the first inning, and José Ramírez followed with a drive that Trout caught while colliding with the padded outfield wall. Despite falling to the warning track, Trout quickly got up and caught the ball, and Rosario scored on Ramírez’s sacrifice fly.

Losses like this sting!

Up Next

Saturday 5/13 – Game 2 vs. Los Angeles Angels 6:10 PM EST.