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Guardians score, recap vs Royals as Cleveland loses to begin series
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- Guardians score, recap vs Royals as Cleveland loses to begin series
CLEVELAND — The Guardians began a three-game series with a 4-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals on April 6 at Progressive Field .
It'll be an icy series considering the low temperatures rolling into Cleveland. In fact, the April 7 game was moved to a new time of 1:10 p.m. because of the frigid temperatures expected that night.
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As soon as the April 6 game became official with the completion of the fifth inning, Jose Ramirez became the Guardians' all-time franchise leader in games played . Unfortunately for the Guardians, they couldn't pair Ramirez's milestone with a win.
Guardians column: Jose Ramirez's record shows why he's face of Cleveland sports | Opinion
Here is how the April 6 game between the Guardians (6-5) and Royals (5-5) unfolded through our updates:
Cleveland Guardians lose 4-2 to Kansas City Royals
Royals reliever Lucas Erceg worked a one-two-three ninth inning to earn the save against the Guardians. Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha registered the win. He improved to 1-0. Guardians reliever Peyton Paulette took the loss. He fell to 0-1.
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The Guardians were outhit 11-4.
Brayan Rocchio hits solo home run, trimming Guardians' deficit to 4-2 in eighth inning
Brayan Rocchio hit a solo home run to left-center field off Royals reliever Matt Strahm in the eighth inning, cutting the Guardians' deficit to 4-2.
Rocchio's leadoff homer traveled 377 feet with an exit velocity of 101.7 mph.
Later, with two outs, Jose Ramirez drew a walk, and utility man David Fry pinch hit for Kyle Manzardo . Fry flew out against Strahm to end the inning.
Royals take 4-1 lead vs. Guardians in eighth inning with Jonathan India 's two-run home run
With two outs in the eighth inning, Jonathan India blasted a two-run home run to left-center field off Guardians reliever Kolby Allard , giving the Royals a 4-1 advantage.
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India's homer traveled 380 feet and had an exit velocity of 101.8 mph.
Guardians announce Gabriel Arias left game with left hamstring tightness
In the seventh inning, the Guardians announced shortstop Gabriel Arias exited the game in the fifth inning with left hamstring tightness.
Guardians escape jam vs. Royals star Bobby Witt Jr.
The seventh inning had to bring concern to the Guardians when Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. stepped to the plate with a runner on first and one out.
But Guardians reliever Peyton Pallette induced Witt to ground into a five-four-three double play to end the inning.
The Guardians trailed 2-1, but it could have been worse if Witt had done typical Witt damage.
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Kyle Manzardo lines into double play
With two on and two out, Kyle Manzardo lined into a double play to end the inning, as first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino caught it and easily tossed it to second base for the double play.
It's 2-1 Royals entering seventh inning.
Carter Jensen home run puts Royals on top
Shortly after the Guardians played a video commemorating Jose Ramirez breaking the franchise all-time games played record , Royals catcher Carter Jensen drilled a go-ahead, solo home run off of Rule 5 pick Peyton Pallette to put K.C. up 2-1 in the top of the sixth inning.
Gabriel Arias exits game with apparent leg injury
Gabriel Arias hit a double to right field in the bottom of the fifth inning but pulled up limping into second base, appearing to grab for his left hamstring. Trainers came out to look at him, and he exited the game in favor of Daniel Schneemann .
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Schneemann will enter at second base, with Brayan Rocchio shifting to shortstop.
Guardians, Royals score update
Tanner Bibee 's day is done, as he wasn't able to finish the fifth inning after the Royals put runners on the corners with two outs. He looked visibly frustrated with not being able to finish the inning.
Manager Stephen Vogt turned to reliever Tim Herrin , who was able to escape the inning with the score still tied, 1-1.
Jonathan India RBI single ties Guardians-Royals
Tanner Bibee had worked out of a jam but couldn't do it in the fourth, as a two-out RBI single from Jonathan India to right field tied it 1-1. Bibee was able to limit the damage, but not before India tied it up.
Apr 6, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) throws to first base in an unsuccessful attempt to get out Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (9) during the first inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
Steven Kwan home run puts Guardians on top of Royals
Earlier, Bo Naylor hooked a ball down the right-field line that fell just foul.
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In the bottom of the third, Steven Kwan sent one down the same path but was able to keep it fair for a solo home run, his first of the season, to put the Guardians up 1-0.
Apr 6, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee (28) delivers during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
Guardians, Royals score
Tanner Bibee of the Guardians and Michael Wacha of the Royals are both through the first inning unscathed.
Jose Ramirez nearly pulled off a tremendous bare-handed play at third base, but a review overturned the play. Still, Bibee was able to work out of jam, something he's worked on over the last few years.
Apr 6, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha (52) delivers during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
Below is some pregame information.
Guardians pitcher Doug Nikhazy claimed by White Sox
Guardians pitcher Doug Nikhazy was claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox. Nikhazy was a second-round pick by the Guardians in the 2021 draft.
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Guardians lineup vs White Sox
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Steven Kwan, CF
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Chase DeLauter , RF
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Jose Ramirez, 3B
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Kyle Manzardo, 1B
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Rhys Hoskins , DH
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Bo Naylor, C
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CJ Kayfus, LF
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Gabriel Arias, SS
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Brayan Rocchio, 2B
How can I watch Guardians vs. Royals on TV today? Cleveland Guardians radio, streaming, broadcast info
The April 6 game between the Guardians and Royals will be televised via GuardsTV. The games can be heard on WTAM-AM 1100, WHBC-AM 1480, WAKR-AM 1590, WMMS-FM 100.7 and WJER-FM 100.9.
Ryan Lewis covers the Cleveland Guardians and Cavaliers for the Akron Beacon Journal. He can be reached at rlewis1@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Guardians score, game recap vs Kansas City Royals
