Game Recap 8/7/23 | Guardians Lose to the Blue Jays 3-1

Post-Game Live Recap

3 Things About Guardians Loss to the Blue Jays

1 – 12 K’s 

Rookie Starter Gavin Williams was wonderful on Monday night pitching seven shutout innings while striking out twelve and only giving up one hit.  The last time a rookie pitcher for Cleveland struck out twelve in a game was Luis Tiant in 1964.

2 – Bullpen Issues 

The Guardians bullpen had a rough night as Enyel De Los Santos and Nick Sandlin gave up three runs in two innings of relief. 

3 – 9th Inning Opportunity  

In the bottom of the 9th, the Guards did have an opportunity with the bases loaded with two outs, and rookie Brayan Rocchio could not deliver the big hit grounding out to end the game.  Rocchio was the only player for Cleveland with multiple hits in the game. 

Game Summary

In the eighth inning on Monday night, Cavan Biggio smashed a two-run home run to break a tie and give the Toronto Blue Jays a 3-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians. The game was scoreless until that moment, but Toronto’s starting pitcher Hyun Jin Ryu had to leave the game due to a knee injury. Biggio’s impressive 415-foot hit to center field was off reliever Enyel De Los Santos (4-2) and brought in Daulton Varsho.

Toronto had struggled to get hits against Guardians’ rookie pitcher Gavin Williams, who struck out a season-high 12 batters and allowed only one hit over the first seven innings. Ryu, who had previously undergone Tommy John surgery in June 2022, was hit on the right kneecap by a line drive, causing a bruised knee. He had pitched four hitless innings but had to leave the game before the fifth inning.

Cleveland managed to score in the bottom of the eighth when Bo Naylor singled in Brayan Rocchio, narrowing the gap to 2-1. However, Toronto responded in the ninth with a key RBI single from George Springer, bringing in Brandon Belt.

The Blue Jays held on to their lead with Erik Swanson (3-2) pitching the seventh and Jordan Hicks working the ninth, ultimately earning his 10th save despite the Guardians loading the bases. This victory helped the Blue Jays maintain their hold on the third and final AL wild-card spot.

Gavin Williams, making his ninth start since being recalled from Triple-A Columbus on June 21, delivered a standout performance, allowing just one hit over seven innings. The only Toronto player to reach past first base before De Los Santos entered was Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who doubled in the first inning.

Earlier in the day, Guardians’ third baseman José Ramírez received a three-game suspension, and White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson was handed a six-game suspension for their involvement in a bench-clearing brawl during a recent game. Both players are appealing their suspensions and remain eligible to play. However, Cleveland closer Emmanuel Clase and manager Terry Francona served their one-game suspensions on Monday, with bench coach DeMarlo Hale filling in for Francona.

Toronto manager John Schneider humorously remarked, “I don’t hate the fact that Clase is unavailable and I hope Ramírez begins his suspension tomorrow.”

On another note, Blue Jays left fielder Davis Schneider, who made history as the third player to achieve at least nine hits in his first three games in the majors, went 0 for 4 in his fourth game. He was called up from Triple-A Buffalo last Friday during Toronto’s series in Boston.

Up Next

Tuesday 8/8 7:10 PM EST – Game 2 vs. Toronto Blue Jays