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Brayan Rocchio continues to power Cleveland Guardians lineup
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- Brayan Rocchio continues to power Cleveland Guardians lineup
CLEVELAND — The Guardians lineup finally showed some life April 29 in a 3-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays at Progressive Field .
Three runs doesn't seem like much, but it was a welcomed sight after the Guardians scored seven runs combined during a four-game losing streak from April 25-28, with two losses apiece to the host Toronto Blue Jays and the visiting Rays.
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The question now is can the Guardians continue to score enough to complement their pitching after a day off on Thursday, April 30?
An answer to that question — in the short term — will come during a seven-game road trip, with three games in Sacramento against the Athletics from May 1-3 and four games in Kansas City versus the Royals from May 4-7.
"We're trying to be simple," Guardians shorstop Brayan Rocchio said. "This is a long season. We know every day we want to hit. We just keep it simple, keep doing the little things and the wins are going to be there."
The Guardians (16-16) finished Wednesday atop the American League Central Division by a half game over the Detroit Tigers , who lost 4-3 to the Atlanta Braves . The Tigers (16-16) then beat the Braves 5-2 Thursday to draw even with the Guardians in the division.
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To put the 16-16 record into perspective, the Guardians were 20-12 and atop the AL Central standings by a half game through 32 games in 2024 and 18-14 and 2½ games out of first through 32 games in 2025.
The Guardians won the AL Central Division championship in 2024 and 2025 under manager Stephen Vogt .
Cleveland Guardians' Brayan Rocchio advances to third on a double against the Tampa Bay Rays on April 29, 2026, in Cleveland.
Brayan Rocchio leads Cleveland Guardians offense
Rocchio is one of the Guardians' leaders offensively from the No. 9 spot in the lineup, with a .283 batting average, a .360 on-base percentage, 28 hits, three home runs, 17 RBIs, 13 runs and 10 walks.
"He finds a way to get on base," Vogt said of Rocchio. "He knows that's his role in the nine-hole, and he's been doing a great job of it. Just love where Brayan's at, taking what pitchers are giving him."
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Rocchio hit three singles, reached base on an error, stole a base and scored a run in both innings in which the Guardians scored Wednesday.
"I feel good," Rocchio said. "That's my type of game — get on base, steal a base, run. That's my job. … I'm trying to get on base every time and get ready for the top of the lineup."
Cleveland Guardians' Brayan Rocchio celebrates in the dugout after scoring against the Tampa Bay Rays on April 29, 2026, in Cleveland.
Rocchio posted his third three-hit game of the season Wednesday, with all of them coming since April 19, when the Guardians won 8-4 over the Baltimore Orioles .
"He's amazing at what he does," Guardians right-handed pitcher Gavin Williams said of Rocchio. "Going up to bat, in the field, he's doing it all right now. Stealing bags, great defense, Rocchio's the man."
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Since April 13, Rocchio has hit .385 (20-for-52) with two home runs and 11 RBIs in 15 games.
"He's setting the tone," Guardians outfielder Chase DeLauter said of Rocchio. "He's on base every day. He's doing exactly what he needs to do, and hopefully we can start driving him in a little bit more. But, man, he's doing everything he needs to. It's fun to watch."
Cleveland Guardians' Daniel Schneemann breaks his bat on a single against the Tampa Bay Rays on April 29, 2026, in Cleveland.
Daniel Schneemann , Chase DeLauter heating up for Guardians
Daniel Schneemann (.321, four home runs, 14 RBIs, 12 runs), Angel Martínez (.266, five home runs, 15 RBIs, 12 runs) and DeLauter (.257, five home runs, 18 RBIs, 12 runs) join Rocchio as hitters to watch as the Guardians head west.
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Schneemann went 2-for-4 Wednesday with two singles to extend his career-long on-base streak to 15 games. He has a .391 on-base percentage and 25 hits this season.
DeLauter has hit safely in eight of his last nine games, batting .357 (10-for-28) with six RBIs during the stretch. He has a .345 on-base percentage and 26 hits.
Cleveland Guardians' Chase DeLauter, left, celebrates with first base coach Sandy Alomar after hitting an RBI single against the Tampa Bay Rays on April 29, 2026, in Cleveland.
"Whether you have a bad first at-bat, first two at-bats, whatever, I'll keep staying getting in that box and competing to the best of my ability," DeLauter said.
DeLauter's mentality mirrors José Ramírez , whose batting average is a tad low at .222, but his impact on the offense continues to be felt with six home runs, 12 RBIs, 19 runs, 26 hits, 21 walks.
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"I'll keep saying it," DeLauter said. "Great group of guys. We have a great group of veterans that are kind of leading the pack, and then it feels like us young guys have kind of played together for a little bit. We kind of know what we got. We're close and that's exactly what you want; go out there, regardless of what happens, good at-bats, bad at-bats, good plays, bad plays. ... We're there for each other, and I think it's going to result in some good wins at the end of the year."
Akron Beacon Journal sports writer Michael Beaven can be reached by email at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Guardians try to get hitting going to match pitching
