Game Recap 4/21/24 | Guardians Sweep the Oakland A’s Win 6-2

April 21, 2024

Andy Billman

Post-Game Recap


3 Things Around The Game

1 – Naylor!

Josh Naylor had another big hit on Sunday. As Naylor came up, the bases loaded, and the Guardians were only up one run in the bottom of the 7th. He hit a bases-clearing double, scoring his brother Bo Naylor, Andres Gimenez, and Brayan Rocchio. 

2 – Bibee 

Tanner Bibee earned his second win of the season, going 5 2/3 innings, giving up only two earned runs while striking out eight. 

3 – 10 Games

After today’s victory, the Guardians are ten games above .500, lead MLB in run differential, and scored the most in baseball with 124.  What a start to the season for our Cleveland Guardians! 


Game Summary

Josh Naylor stepped up with a pivotal three-run double in the seventh inning, propelling the Guardians to maintain their strongest start in 25 years with a 6-2 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Sunday, securing a three-game sweep.

In a tense moment with the Guardians leading 3-2, Naylor, who had celebrated a two-run homer the day before by emphatically tapping his helmet with his bat, came through with a double with the bases loaded against T.J. McFarland.

Naylor continues his impressive performance, boasting a .406 batting average (13 of 32) with 14 RBIs in nine home games.

The Guardians, surprising many, have now secured four consecutive wins, triumphing in seven of their last eight games and elevating their record to the best in the AL at 16-6. This marks the franchise’s best start since 1999 when Cleveland also held a 16-6 record through 22 games.

Starting pitcher Tanner Bibee (2-0) contributed to the victory, conceding only two runs and five hits over 5 2/3 innings. The right-hander allowed a lone RBI single in the sixth before Guardians manager Stephen Vogt turned to his bullpen, which entered the game with an impressive 2.19 ERA.

Tim Herrin, Nick Sandlin, Cade Smith, and closer Emmanuel Clase effectively shut down the A’s offense over the final 3 1/3 innings.

Will Brennan added to the Guardians’ offensive display with a home run, helping to seal the victory as All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez enjoyed a day off.

Oakland continues to struggle in Cleveland, extending their losing streak to seven games at Progressive Field. Over the past three years, the A’s have managed only four wins in 20 matchups against the Guardians.

Brennan’s home run in the second inning came off Ross Stripling (0-5), who has now suffered ten consecutive losses spanning two seasons with Oakland and San Francisco. He becomes the first A’s pitcher since Mike Morris in 1979 to lose his first five starts of a season.

Brent Rooker provided a consolation home run for the A’s.

Brennan, who had previously hit a pinch-hit homer in Boston earlier in the week, struck again with one out in the second inning, marking only the 13th home run allowed by Oakland’s pitching staff this season. Notably, the A’s surrendered a team record of 213 homers in 2023.

Trainers Room

Gavin Williams (elbow) flew to Cleveland after pitching three innings in Arizona on Saturday. He’ll be checked by the team’s medical and training staff before making the next step in his return. Williams got hurt while throwing a weighted ball in training camp and essentially had to restart his pitching program.

Up Next

Following an off day, start a three-game series against Boston with RHP Ben Lively (0-1, 3.60) pitching the opener against RHP Tanner Houck (3-1, 1.35), who blanked Cleveland on three hits last week at Fenway Park.

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