Guardians Blank Rangers in Series Opener

Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images

May 13, 2024

Guardians 7, Rangers 0

ARLINGTON, Tex. (May 13) — The Texas Rangers‘ efforts weren’t enough, as they lost to the Cleveland Guardians, 7–0, on Monday evening. One of the highlights for the Guardians was a two-run single by Jose Ramirez late in the game. The Rangers will have an opportunity to force a rubber game on Tuesday evening, and they need to gather some momentum as they are on a four-game skid. First pitch in the middle game is scheduled for 7:05 pm Central at Globe Life Field. Right-hander Ben Lively (1–2, 2.63 ERA) will get the ball for the Guardians, and Jack Leiter (0–0, 12.91 ERA) will make his home debut for the Rangers.

Scoreless Through Seven

Monday’s game was a pitchers’ duel until the top of the eighth. With Jose Leclerc on in relief of Rangers starter Michael Lorenzen, Estevan Florial doubled to right to lead off the frame. Florial scored two batters later on a single to center by Brayan Rocchio. An offline throw by Leody Taveras in center allowed Rocchio to advance to second. On deck was Tyler Freeman, who drew a walk. At this point, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy had seen enough from Leclerc, and he brought in Jacob Latz.

The first batter Latz faced was Andres Gimenez, who lined a single to center that moved Rocchio up 90 feet. Moments later, Rocchio and Freeman scored on a single to center by Ramirez, making it 3–0 Guardians. Up next was Josh Naylor, whom the Rangers intentionally walked. A wild pitch to pinch-hitter David Fry plated Gimenez. It also advanced Ramirez to third and Naylor to second.

The Guardians added three more in the top of the ninth off reliever Owen White. Rocchio singled to third and stole second. On deck was Freeman, who drew another walk. Gimenez drove in Rocchio with a double to left. Ramirez plated Freeman and Gimenez with a single to center, giving the Guardians a 7–0 lead over the Rangers.

What Went Right for the Guardians

The Guardians got things done from both an offensive and defensive standpoint on Monday. They not only found ways to get on base, but they also found ways to bring them home. They used five pitchers, none of whom allowed a run.

What Went Wrong for the Guardians

The only time the Guardians were in a jam was the bottom of the sixth when starter Tanner Bibee loaded the bases for Adolis Garcia. He allowed a single to Taveras and issued free passes to Corey Seager and Nathaniel Lowe, bringing Garcia to the dish. Bibee struck out Garcia and got Josh Smith to ground out to second. The first out of the inning was made by Marcus Semien, who flied to right.

Five Hitless Innings for Lorenzen

Lorenzen took a no-decision for the Rangers on Monday. He did well, as his line on the evening was 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 4 K, 96 pitches/56 strikes. Lorenzen began his outing with five hitless frames before allowing a one-out single to Freeman in the sixth. He lowered his season ERA by nearly a full run from 4.66 to 3.75. The right-hander received no run support for the second time this season and has been backed with one or zero runs in four of his six starts this season. He has induced seven GIDP (1.75 GIDP/9), a category in which he ranked third in the AL entering Monday’s game. Lorenzen, José Ureña, Andrew Heaney, and Jon Gray have combined to post a 1.82 ERA over the last four games, working five-plus innings with two or fewer runs allowed in each of those games; the Rangers are 0–4 in that span. … Leclerc took the loss in the series opener. His record is now 3–3 with an ERA of 6.88.

Bibee’s Night

For the Guardians, Bibbee did not factor into the decision despite producing his second scoreless start of the season. His line was 5 1/3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K, 94 pitches/60 strikes). He retired each of the first 11 batters he faced before Lowe broke through with a single in the fourth. Bibee exited with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the sixth but remained unscathed after Nick Sandlin struck out García and got Josh Smith out on a 4–3 groundout to end the threat.

He has posted a 3.66 ERA and 33 strikeouts against seven walks over his last six starts to lower his season ERA from 5.93 to 4.34. He owns a 1.68 ERA in five starts away from Progressive Field in 2024, the lowest mark by any Guardians pitcher over his first five road starts in a campaign since Trevor Bauer in 2015 (1.32). After pitching a spotless seventh inning with one strikeout, right-hander Hunter Gaddis picked up his second win of the season, bringing his record to 2–1 with an ERA of 2.18.

Postgame Comments

A somewhat perplexed Bochy held court with members of the media after the game. “We need somebody to come through here,” he said. “We’re too good not to come out of it.” Regarding Lorenzen’s start, he said, “He gave us seven solid innings, and it would’ve been nice to get something to back him up offensively. I was very pleased that he was able to make it to the seventh. He threw 25 pitches in the first, and you always want to make sure that your guy is alright when he comes back to the bench after doing that. That’s what we did, and I was happy with what he gave us.”