Guardians slug their way past the Angels
The Guardians won their first “game” of the 2025 season today, destroying the Angels 14-1.
Centerfielder Tyler Freeman started the barrage, knocking in Steven Kwan with a double after Kwan’s leadoff single. Bo Naylor at DH brought Freeman home with a single to give Cleveland a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first.
Kwan then homered in the 4th
And Cleveland added a three more runs on Will Brennan and Freeman walks, a Kyle Manzardo single, an error by the Angels and a Schneemann groundout.
In the fifth, the kids got involved with Joe Lampe smacking a long homer (443 feet), CJ Kayfus following with another homer and Cooper Ingle knocking in Angel Genao. Travis Bazzana debuted in Spring Training striking out twice looking and walking once. He is probably too patient but I love how he works a count. He also made a strong throw to end the game.
The Angels are just bad so they also let the Guardians score a bunch of runs mostly on walks in the 8th. I like seeing solid plate discipline up and down the lineup.
Juan Brito got the start at second and didn’t look particularly great in the field or at the plate. But tomorrow is another day.
Ben Lively did Ben Lively things, working around trouble. Brennan had a great throw to get a runner. Doug Nikhazy and Jack Leftwich looked quite good, Nikhazy going two perfect innings with 2 K’s. Koby Allard also struck out four in two innings but I’m not sure what to make of that.
The Guardians play the Diamondbacks at 3:10 PM EST tomorrow.