The Cleveland Guardians not only dropped the first game of Monday’s doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals: but they also lost the second one 9-4, which really complicates things for them in the AL Central.
The Guards, who once enjoyed a nine-game lead as recently as late June, are now up a single game ahead of the Royals.
They entered Monday three games up but lost two in a single day and now the lead they worked to build for months is at risk.
#Guardians drop double-header to #Royals, now just one game up in division https://t.co/jc83mPIXEs
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) August 27, 2024
Just like it happened in the first game, Cleveland went ahead quickly in the second game.
A Jose Ramirez double brought home Steven Kwan for the first run in the opening inning, with Andres Gimenez also scoring on a throwing error by the outfielder.
Another error on a pickoff attempt resulted in a run by Ramirez and just like that, Cleveland was up 3-0.
Unfortunately, Logan Allen just couldn’t limit the Royals offense.
He ended up pitching five innings and allowing five earned runs on eight hits and four walks.
He accumulated more home runs allowed (two) than strikeouts (one) in the off night.
He was called up from Triple-A to make the start but the result was disappointing.
The bullpen, shockingly, wasn’t much better, with Pedro Avila surrendering three runs and Tim Herrin one.
Manager Stephen Vogt also made the puzzling decision to send Emmanuel Clase to the mound down four runs and having pitched the day before.
It wasn’t a good night for the Guardians, who will try to return to their winning ways on Tuesday.
If they can’t, they will watch the Royals tie for the top spot in the Central.
NEXT: Guardians Drop First Game Of Doubleheader As Kansas City Gets Closer In The Central
