Game 2 of the Dodgers v. Guardians series was another late night affair for those of us on the east coast.
Tanner Bibee, after leaving the season opener with right shoulder discomfort, was back and tasked with facing the Dodgers offense while the Guardians offense was tasked with facing Shohei Ohtani.
The top of the first was eventful, but not in a fun way. Kwan and José both had long flyouts, but Chase DeLauter fouled a ball off his back foot. He finished the at bat, resulting in a ground out, but immediately left the field and headed down the tunnel with the trainer. The team updated in the fourth inning that the x-ray was negative.
In the top of the third, Gabriel Arias drew a one-out walk. Angel Martínez broke his bat on what looked like a well placed single, but Mookie Betts made a great play to get the out. Rhys Hoskins recorded the first hit of the game for the Guards in the top of the fourth with a two-out double to left. In the top of the fifth, Angel Martínez was hit by pitch, on his back knee, and stayed down for a fair amount of time. Thankfully Angel was able to take his base and continue playing the game.
Through the third, Bibee kept the Dodgers to two hits and a walk, keeping things scoreless. But as a light rain started to fall in LA, the bottom of the fourth had the Dodgers strike first. A one-out single and two, two-out singles scored Will Smith. Bibee finished the night having only pitched 4.0 innings. He allowed 4 hits, 1 run, 2 walks, and struck out 4 batters on 74 pitches. It was likely that Bibee would be limited due to the aforementioned shoulder discomfort. Kolby Allard came on in relief in the fifth inning to face the top of the Dodgers’ line up.
Allard walked Ohtani, but handled the next three batters. In the bottom of the sixth, Max Muncy got to Allard with a solo homer to right.
The Dodgers brought out relief lefty Alex Vesia in the top of the seventh. Bo Naylor hit into another broken bat out, with Mookie Betts making the play again for the first out.
Allard stayed in for the start of the seventh, giving up a single to Ohtani and striking out two. Matt Festa replaced Allard for Mookie Betts. Festa struck out Betts to retire the side. Angel Martínez was the first up to bat for the Guardians, facing lefty Jack Dreyer. Angel hit a swinging bunt and was standing on first when the umpires decided that it was foul. No one signaled that it was foul, the ball was not foul, Angel grounded out instead. Steven Kwan drew a walk, but David Fry (pinch hitting for Kayfus) and José weren’t able to make anything happen.
Matt Festa remained in for the bottom of the 8th. Four singles burnt Festa, scoring two before the side was retired. The rain was coming down harder, making for tough playing conditions. The weather looked like it was playing into the Guardians favor. Edwin Díaz came in to close for LA. Kyle Manzardo was hit by pitch and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Rhys Hoskins drew a walk. Bo’s flyout put runners on the corner for Brayan Rocchio. Rocchio hit a single to right, scoring Manzo and advancing Rhys. Díaz struck out Schneemann and Angel to end the game. The loss goes to Tanner Bibee.
Final: Guardians 1 – Dodgers 4
Box Score
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