Game Recap 5/1/24 | Guardians Beat the Astros 3-2

Post-Game Recap

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3 Things Around The Game

1 – SUPER KWAN!

Steven Kwan had a wonderful game on Wednesday, getting three hits, including the game-winning RBI double and a beautiful diving catch in the 10th, turning into the game-ending double play.

2 – Quality start

Triston McKenzie had a tremendous bounce-back start, going seven strong while giving up only two runs and striking out six.  

3 – Bullpen

Even with the fourth consecutive extra-inning game (the last time the club had four extra-inning games consecutively since 1910), the Guardians bullpen came through with three scoreless innings, only giving up two hits.  

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Game Summary

In the 10th inning, Steven Kwan propelled Cleveland into the lead with an RBI double, then showcased his defensive prowess with a diving catch that initiated a double play, securing the Guardians’ 3-2 victory over the Houston Astros on Wednesday night.

The pivotal moment came when Shawn Dubin (0-1) issued a walk to Brayan Rocchio, setting the stage for Kwan’s decisive hit down the left field line, bringing in the automatic runner and pushing the Guardians ahead 3-2.

Cade Smith (1-0) stepped up, clinching the win with two crucial outs in the ninth, while closer Emmanuel Clase sealed the deal with a flawless ninth inning, earning his ninth save of the season.

With one out in the 10th, Mauricio Dubón sent a fly ball drifting into shallow left field, where Kwan executed a spectacular diving catch before swiftly firing to second base, retiring the automatic runner and effectively ending the game.

Kwan’s offensive contributions were equally impressive, singling in the first inning and notching an RBI triple in the fifth, narrowly missing a home run to complete the cycle and snapping Cleveland’s two-game losing streak.

The Guardians’ nail-biting victory marked their fourth consecutive extra-inning game, tying a franchise record set in 1910. Cleveland’s seven extra-inning contests this season lead the majors and rank as the second-most in team history through 30 games, trailing only the 1910 squad.

Earlier in the series, Houston claimed a 10-9 win in 10 innings on Tuesday, with closer Josh Hader’s two-inning performance leaving him unavailable for Wednesday’s game.

Contributions from Will Brennan’s homer and David Fry’s two hits bolstered Cleveland’s offense, while Kyle Tucker’s solo homer in the seventh and Dubón’s pair of doubles provided highlights for the Astros, who had previously secured three consecutive victories.

On the mound, Cleveland’s Triston McKenzie delivered a solid performance, allowing just five hits and two runs with six strikeouts over seven innings, marking his longest outing since 2022 following a season plagued by shoulder and elbow injuries.

Opposing him, Justin Verlander turned in a commendable performance, surrendering six hits and two runs with three walks over seven innings in his third start of the season.

Brennan’s early homer ignited Cleveland’s offense, giving them a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning, while Rocchio’s walk and subsequent run on Kwan’s triple extended their lead to 2-0.

Dubón’s sixth-inning double brought the Astros within one run, as he scored on Jose Altuve’s single to shallow center field. Tucker’s towering seventh-inning blast then knotted the score at 2-2, sending McKenzie’s third pitch of the inning into the second deck in right field for his eighth homer of the season.

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UP NEXT

Spencer Arrighetti (0-3, 10.37 ERA) opposes LHP Logan Allen (3-1, 5.46) in the series finale Thursday night.

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