The Cleveland Guardians got a big effort from their potential young ace.
Luis L. Ortiz gave the fans a glimpse of what he’s capable of in a strong pitching duel with Pablo Lopez and the Minnesota Twins.
The hurlers went toe-to-toe for six innings until Bo Naylor connected on a 95.5 mph fastball in the seventh inning for a three-run homer to secure a 4-2 win for his team.
Ortiz was dominant and in control from start to finish.
When asked about his performance, manager Stephen Vogt gushed about his special talent:
“I feel like we’ve seen that game from Louie a couple of times this season, but tonight was even more special,” said manager Stephen Vogt. “The efficiency, getting into the seventh inning the way he did, we needed that tonight from Louie. Especially because Pablo Lopez brought his A game.”
This was a much-needed bounce-back effort from the former Pittsburgh Pirates hurler.
He was coming off allowing four runs on five hits in 104 pitches over just 4.1 innings in his last start vs. the Yankees, striking out eight and walking five in a 5-1 defeat.
This time, he threw 6.1 scoreless innings, allowing just three hits with five strikeouts and two walks.
Trevor Larnach got him with a lead-off hit to start the second inning.
Then Byron Buxton connected on an infield single in the sixth before Ty France got him with one out in the seventh before Vogt pulled him out of the game.
Ortiz has the potential to be a star in this league, but he’s struggled with control at times this season.
Hopefully, he will be able to build on this momentum going forward.
Now, the Guardians will look to wrap the series up when RHP Ben Lively (1-2, 4.40) takes the mound against RHP Simeon Woods Richardson (2-2, 4.07), with the first pitch scheduled for 1:10 pm (ET).
NEXT: Bo Naylor Used 1 Word To Describe His Home Run On Wednesday
