Guardians drop Cactus League opener. The season is over.
The Guardians and Reds played an exhibition game today. Here are some observations:
-Triston McKenzie threw two solid innings. Some hard contact (including a BLASTED bomb off the bat of Elly De La Cruz, but Sticks probably had him struck out on the pitch prior). Fastball was sitting 94 mph and he was locating the curveball but the slider wasn’t there quite yet. Location was good (no walks!) and velocity was good and that’s about all that matters for the first outing.
-Logan Allen also looked solid for two innings, also giving up a blast to De La Cruz.
-Brayan Rocchio went 3 for 3 with two doubles and a bloop single.
-Gabriel Arias had a 104 mph hit with a 5 degree launch angle as usual, getting the start at second base.
-Jhonkensy Noel was still chasing sliders outside.
-Jose Ramirez got his first hit of the year.
-Khalil Watson made a terrible error in left field, Milan Tolentino hit a triple, Nick Mikolajchek needed only four pitches in a scoreless inning, and Tanner Burns looked similarly efficient and dominant (sitting 94 mph).
Good to get one under their belt. Let’s see who starts tomorrow!