Game Recap 9/24/23 | Guardians Lose to the Orioles 5-1

Post-Game Recap

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3 Things Around The Game

1 – McKenzie’s Return 

Triston McKenzie made his first pitch since June 10th and had a hard time finding the strike zone only going 1 2/3 innings.   McKenzie is expected to make one more start in the final game of the season in Detroit. 

2 –  Michael Kelly 

To make room for Triston McKenzie on the roster, Michael Kelly was sent back to the minors.

3 – 3 of 5  

The Guardians only got five hits on Sunday, three of them were by Jose Ramirez. 

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Game Summary

In a dominant performance, Kyle Gibson delivered seven solid innings on the mound, while Adley Rutschman showcased his prowess by reaching base four times. The Baltimore Orioles inched closer to securing the coveted AL East title with a convincing 5-1 triumph over the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday.

Baltimore currently holds a 2 1/2-game lead over the second-place Tampa Bay team within their division, effectively reducing their magic number to just three. With six games left on their schedule and the tiebreaker advantage over the Rays, Baltimore’s path to the title is looking increasingly promising.

Gibson, with a record of 15-9, showcased his pitching finesse by allowing only one run and conceding five hits while striking out four. The right-hander was substituted after the leadoff double in the eighth inning.

Rutschman played a pivotal role in Baltimore’s victory, doubling twice, contributing an RBI, and drawing two crucial walks. Only in the eighth inning did he miss the mark with a lineout to left field.

The Guardians’ Triston McKenzie, activated from the 60-day injured list prior to the game, struggled with control, issuing a career-high six walks in just 1 2/3 innings. This outing marked his third start of the season, a testament to his determination despite previous elbow and shoulder injuries. Unfortunately, he managed only 19 strikes out of his 52 pitches and was pulled from the game with the bases loaded in the second inning. McKenzie allowed three runs and failed to record a single strikeout.

McKenzie had a successful 11-11 record with a 2.96 ERA last season, but his journey in the current season had been marred by injuries. He initially strained his shoulder during spring training and did not return until June 4. Subsequently, he was placed on the injured list again due to an elbow sprain. Following this injury, McKenzie consulted multiple doctors, ultimately opting for a rest and rehabilitation approach rather than surgery.

Baltimore initiated its scoring in the second inning, led by Jordan Westburg’s RBI double, followed by Jorge Mateo’s run-scoring groundout and Anthony Santander’s bases-loaded walk, which brought an end to McKenzie’s challenging outing. While McKenzie walked just one batter in a scoreless first inning, he struggled immensely in the second, walking five of the eight batters he faced, including the final three.

Rutschman continued to make his presence felt with an RBI double in the fourth inning, and Cedric Mullins added to the Orioles’ tally with a run-scoring single in the fifth.

Despite the loss, José Ramírez had an impressive performance for the Guardians. Notably, Cleveland had secured dramatic walk-off victories in the first two games of the series, winning 9-8 on Friday and losing 2-1 on Saturday after Baltimore’s John Means took a no-hitter into the seventh inning.

Trainers Room

Bo Naylor (bruised right thumb) was out of the lineup for the second straight game. He was injured blocking a pitch in the dirt Friday. … Gabriel Arias (right wrist) was out after being hit by a pitch Saturday.

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Up Next

Tuesday 9/26 6:10 PM EST – Game 1 vs. Reds