Game Recap 5/20/24 | Guardians Beat The Mets 3-1

Post-Game Recap

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3 Things Around The Game

1 – Fry Fry Fry!

David Fry carried the offense with a two-run single and scored a third run on a Kyle Manzardo double.  Fry is now batting .329 on the season. 

2 – The return of Lindor

Francisco Lindor made his first appearance in Cleveland since being traded in 2021.  Lindor went 0-4 with one strikeout.

3 – Sandman

Nick Sandlin came on with two runners on in the 6th and walked the bases loaded but escaped by striking out Brett Baty to end the inning. 

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Game Summary

Ben Lively had another strong start, David Fry drove in two early runs, and the Cleveland Guardians secured their fourth consecutive victory, defeating the New York Mets 3-1 on Monday night, spoiling Francisco Lindor’s return.

The Guardians have now won seven of their last eight games, solidifying their position as AL Central leaders and proving they are more than just an early-season surprise.

“We’re kind of already past the start,” said the versatile Fry. “After the first week or two, the new season kind of wears off. We just have a really good mindset and everybody’s just having a lot of fun right now.”

In his first game at Progressive Field since being traded to New York in 2021, Lindor, who spent six seasons with Cleveland, went 0-for-4, striking out once, grounding out twice, and flying out, dropping his average to .193.

Lively (3-2) gave up just one run—a homer—and six hits in 5 2/3 innings before first-year manager Stephen Vogt handed the game over to his bullpen. Nick Sandlin relieved Lively in the sixth with two on and two out, walking one before striking out Brett Baty with the bases loaded. Scott Barlow pitched a perfect seventh, and rookie Cade Smith struck out two in the eighth.

Cleveland closer Emmanuel Clase sealed the six-hitter in the ninth for his 14th save, having allowed just one earned run in 24 1/3 innings this season.

“They carry us,” Fry said of Cleveland’s relievers. “Every time they come into the game, we’re just like, yep, they’re going to get a bunch of zeros.”

Despite not getting a hit after the fourth inning, the Guardians ended a seven-game losing streak against the Mets.

Tomás Nido homered for New York, which fell to 3-8 since May 9. The Mets struck out 11 times and made several costly mistakes. In the second inning, J.D. Martinez doubled, but Sterling Marte hit a comebacker that resulted in a rundown, leading to both Martinez and Marte being tagged out.

“We didn’t play well,” said Mets manager Carlos Mendoza. “We made a couple of mistakes. It wasn’t a good game.”

The Mets’ first visit to Cleveland since 2016 also marked a homecoming for Lindor. The 30-year-old received a warm ovation with some scattered boos from Cleveland fans who remembered his contributions through six seasons, four playoff appearances, and the 2016 World Series.

Marte was ejected in the fourth inning by plate umpire Manny Gonzalez for arguing a called third strike. Marte believed the pitch was low and continued to argue as he walked away, leading to his ejection.

Tylor Megill (0-2), activated from the injured list for his first start since March 31 due to a shoulder strain, got two quick outs in the first inning before allowing three consecutive singles, culminating in Fry’s two-run liner.

Nido, the Mets’ No. 9 hitter, hit his second homer in the third inning to bring the Mets within 2-1. However, Guardians rookie Kyle Manzardo, showing improved at-bats, hit an RBI double in the fourth to score Fry, extending the lead.

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UP NEXT

Carlos Carrasco (2-4, 5.16 ERA) faces the Mets for the first time since the club decided not to re-sign him after three seasons. New York counters with Adrian Houser (0-3, 7.44).

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