The Guardians’ nine-game winning streak ended with Monday’s 8-6 loss to the Rockies, but manager Stephen Vogt focused on some positives afterward.
“We were still having fun,” said Vogt. “We had our two best hitters up to be the tying runs even in our first loss. It was a really fun nine-day stretch. We hope to start a new one tomorrow.”
It was Cleveland’s longest win streak since an American League record 22 straight in 2017 and marked just the sixth loss this season when leading at any point in a game. Colorado’s eight runs scored were the third-most the Guards have allowed this season, and the most since giving up a season-high 11 on May 7 against Detroit.
Still, Vogt was not about to allow one loss to spoil his club’s momentum. Cleveland remains atop the American League Central Division with a 36-18 record and is 2 1/2 games ahead of Kansas City, which fell to Minnesota for its second loss in as many games.
“This team is still playing really good baseball,” Vogt said. “We played a good game today. We made some mistakes, there are some things we can clean up. But at the same time we fought. We had the tying run at the plate.”
Mile high
Despite holding the second-worst record in the National League, the Rockies are 7-3 at Coors Field in May and have won seven of their last eight games in Denver after going 5-10 at home in April. They are 12-9 this season against opponents with winning records.
Colorado got contributions from its bullpen and a familiar face in the lineup to get past Cleveland. Lefty reliever Josh Rogers earned his first major league win in more than two years after having his contract selected from Triple-A Albuquerque early Monday. It was Rogers first big league appearance June of 2022 and marked the longest relief outing by a Rockies pitcher since September of 2021.
Outfielder Charlie Blackmon collected three hits, snapping a streak of 113 at-bats without a home run off Xzavion Curry in the fourth inning. It was the fifth-longest home run drought of his career.
Curry’s rough outing
For the second straight start, Xzavion Curry appeared to run out of gas after opening the game strong. Curry exited after giving up six runs in the fourth inning. Curry’s six total earned runs allowed matched a career high for the 25-year-old righty.
Freeman feeling it
Tyler Freeman collected three hits including a pair of doubles Monday and now has a hit in 11 of his last 13 games since May 13. Freeman is hitting .302 with an .812 OPS since moving into the leadoff spot on May 12. His four consecutive games with an RBI match the longest streak of his career, and Monday’s outing marked his second career game with multiple extra-base hits.
José all day
José Ramírez smacked a pair of doubles and drove in two. He has reached base in seven straight games and is hitting .357 with a 1.348 OPS, four doubles, four home runs and 13 RBI in that span. Ramírez’s six straight games with an RBI matches the longest streak of his career from July 23 to July 31, 2021.
Bounce back Bo
Bo Naylor singled twice and recorded his first multi-hit game since May 9 against the White Sox. Naylor has hits in back-to-back games for the first time since May 3-4.
Today’s game
On Tuesday it will be RHP Triston McKenzie (2-3, 3.44) vs. RHP Ryan Feltner (1-4, 5.07) at 8:40 p.m. Bally Sports Great Lakes, WTAM, WMMS and the Guardians radio network carrying the game. Feltner, a Walsh Jesuit alum, stymied his hometown team last season on April 25 in a 5-1 Rockies win at Progressive Field. Feltner struck out six and allowed just one unearned run in six innings with no walks.
What’s next
Here’s what’s going on with the Guardians following Tuesday’s matchup against the Rockies.
- On Wednesday it will be LHP Logan Allen (6-2, 4.89) vs. LHP Ty Blach (1-2, 4.55) at 8:40 p.m. Bally Sports Great Lakes, WTAM, WMMS and the Guardians radio network carrying the game.
- The Guardians are off Thursday and then play the Nationals and Royals in a six-game homestand. The Nationals arrive at Progressive Field on Friday night.
- On June 7, the Guardians open a three-city, seven-game trip against Miami, Cincinnati and Toronto.
- On June 18, Seattle comes to Progressive Field for a three-game series. It starts a six-game homestand with Toronto arriving for the final three games on June 21.
