It’s been a pretty “sweep” week for the Cleveland Guardians.
It’s fun to be a Guardians fan right now. After a rough first week, the team has quickly made up for it, sitting at a 12-9 record after week three.
How Sweep It Is
Facing the Pirates in Pittsburgh, there were many questions going into this weekend. The Pirates are second-to-last in the National League while the Guards are fourth in the American League. That made it pretty clear that Cleveland would take the series. However, Saturday had them lined up to face 2024 Rookie of the Year and third-place Cy Young contestant Paul Skenes. Many didn’t have high hopes heading into that game, but they were quickly proven wrong. The gritty Guards got to Skenes early, scoring a run in the third inning. As it would turn out, that was the only run they needed as Ben Lively and crew kept the Pirates scoreless. This (and two other wins) gave the Guardians their second sweep of the season.
Manzardo Makes History
Another one of the week’s best moments also came in Satuday’s contest in Pittsburgh. In the top of the seventh inning, Kyle Manzardo hit a 411 foot home run to right field putting the Guardians up 2-0. This was a historic moment for the young designated hitter/first baseman as he became the first player in Cleveland history to hit a home run into the Allegheny River. Additionally, this made him just the 51st player in MLB history to do so. He also hit the home run off of Paul Skenes who had drawn a packed house for his bobblehead day. Poetry.
Ortiz Has Big Game
The Cleveland Guardians acquired RHP Luis Ortiz in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates on December 10, 2024. On April 18th, Ortiz faced his former team, and it was a beaut. Ortiz pitched five innings, giving up four hits and striking out eight. He gave up two runs, but thanks to an offensive outburst, he earned the win. It’s clear that Ortiz is cementing himself as a reliable starter as his ERA continues to go down with each start.