It’s never good to lose, but the Cleveland Guardians can still find something positive here.
Luis L. Ortiz is looking like a potential ace, and he’s bounced back from a somewhat dismal start to the season.
Unfortunately, that still wasn’t enough to lead the team to a win.
Despite his strong outing, the Guardians still lost 3-0, marking the first time the Guardians lost after allowing three or fewer runs this season.
They had gone 15-0 in those situations.
To add insult to injury, it was the first loss on Mother’s Day after 10 consecutive wins dating back to the 2013 campaign.
This was Ortiz’s fourth loss of the season, but after watching him throw six innings of one-run ball, manager Stephen Vogt had nothing but praise for him.
He described his outing as ‘outstanding.’
“Vogt called Ortiz’s outing ‘outstanding’ and said Philly hitters were not able to make a lot of hard contact outside Schwarber’s solo home run,” Joe Noga wrote.
The former Pittsburgh Pirates hurler struck out nine hitters and walked two while allowing just four hits.
This was his third quality start of the season with three or fewer runs allowed.
Moreover, he lowered his ERA to 4.78 and his WHIP to 1.36.
He didn’t get much support from his offense.
Zack Wheeler held the Guardians to just three hits in seven innings, including eight strikeouts.
He retired 18 of the last 21 hitters that took the plate after placing two runners on base in the first inning.
The Guardians combined to score just one run in the last two games of the series, falling to 2-1 and being outscored 10-1.
Now, they will host the Milwaukee Brewers for a three-game series at Progressive Field.
Ben Lively (2-2, 3.46) will take the mound for Cleveland, with Freddy Peralta (4-2, 2.18) in charge of leading the opposition.
NEXT: Insider Raves About 3 Guardians Pitchers For Impressive Weekend
