Game Recap 3/30/24 | Guardians Beat the Oakland A’s 12-3

Post-Game Recap

3 Things Around The Game

1 – Kwanimal

Steven Kwan went off on Saturday getting three hits, including one home run, two RBIs while scoring three runs.  

2 – Brilliant bullpen

The Guardians’ bullpen has been solid through three games in 2024, pitching 14 innings and only giving up one earned run.

3 – HItting Guards

Everybody who had an at-bat on Saturday had at least one hit, and so far, in three games, the Guardians have scored a total of 26 runs, almost averaging nine runs a game…WOW!

Game Summary

Steven Kwan, hailing from the Bay Area, showcased his talent with a home run and reaching base four times, contributing to the Cleveland Guardians’ commanding 12-3 victory over the Oakland Athletics. The Guardians amassed 15 hits in front of a modest Saturday afternoon crowd of 5,425 spectators.

In a notable debut, six Cleveland players successfully stole bases off Kyle McCann, the 26-year-old catcher making his first appearance in the majors.

Stephen Vogt of Cleveland joined Al Lopez in 1951 as the only manager to start their tenure with the Guardians with a perfect 3-0 record. Meanwhile, the Oakland Athletics stumbled to a 0-3 start for only the second time in 28 years.

Despite announcing plans to relocate to Las Vegas for the 2028 season, the A’s have struggled to draw crowds, with only 22,784 attendees across their first three home games, averaging 7,595 per game.

Cleveland found themselves trailing 3-2 initially but rallied with three runs in the fourth inning, followed by two runs each in the fifth and sixth innings, surging ahead to an 8-3 lead.

Pitcher Nick Sandlin (1-0) played a crucial role, striking out two batters in a flawless fifth inning in relief of Tanner Bibee. Bibee, who allowed three runs and six hits over four innings, matched his career high with five walks.

On the other side, JP Sears (0-1) struggled, conceding five runs and six hits in 3 2/3 innings. Sears, who had a challenging 5-14 record last season, was part of the A’s disappointing campaign, finishing with a league-worst 50-112 record.

A pivotal moment came in the fourth inning when Gabriel Arias hit a tying single, followed by Austin Hedges’ sacrifice fly, giving Cleveland the lead. Additionally, a throwing error by Oakland shortstop Nick Allen contributed to two unearned runs for the Guardians.

In terms of injuries, the Guardians’ RHP Ben Lively and RHP Xzavion Curry, both sidelined with a viral illness, progressed with bullpen sessions and are poised for rehab assignments soon. Meanwhile, LHP Sam Hentges and RHP Gavin Williams are showing signs of improvement from finger and elbow inflammation, respectively, and are expected to resume bullpen sessions shortly.

Up Next

Guardians RHP Carlos Carrasco (3-6, 6.80 ERA in 2023) faces A’s RHP Paul Blackburn (4-7, 4.83 ERA in 2023) on Sunday.