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Guardians score, highlights: After series win at Boston, Cleveland routs Oakland
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- Guardians score, highlights: After series win at Boston, Cleveland routs Oakland
The Guardians , the surprise team of the league so far, now enter an advantageous series with the rebuilding Oakland A 's, who are also playing above expectations so far.
The Guardians entered Friday tied with the New York Yankees for the best record in baseball through the first 19 games in building a reputation as a team that can overcome any deficit . Playing an A's team perhaps exceeding expectations, the Guardians didn't have to worry about erasing a deficit Friday.
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The Guardians routed the A's 10-2 to stay on a roll under first-year manager Stephen Vogt , who recently outlined the lessons he's learned thus far .
Here's how the game unfolded through our live updates.
Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) is tagged out trying to stretch a single into a double by Oakland Athletics second baseman Zack Gelof (20) on April 20 in Cleveland.
Guardians beat the A's
The A's kicked the ball around in the bottom of the eighth, giving the Guardians a few extra insurance runs, and Scott Barlow finished the ninth inning (with a run allowed) for a 10-2 Cleveland win.
The Guardians are 14-6 through through their first 20 games and will finish the night with at least a share of the best record in baseball. The A's drop to 8-12.
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Josh Naylor home run continues torrid start to 2024 season
Josh Naylor is raking to start 2024.
Naylor just lined a home run to right field, which puts the Guardians up 8-1.
Naylor's now hitting .309 with a .932 OPS and has been a crucial piece to the lineup hitting behind Jose Ramirez .
Guardians-A's score update: Andres Gimenez extends Cleveland lead against Oakland in fifth inning
Apr 19, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians second baseman Andres Gimenez (0) hits an RBI single during the fifth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Two pitches later, Andres Gimenez broke the game open with a two-run single to center field, putting Cleveland up 6-1.
Gimenez is swinging the bat well in the No. 2 spot for Stephen Vogt early on this season.
Jose Ramirez followed with an RBI single to score Gimenez, though he was thrown out at second base. Still, the Guardians now have a comfortable 7-1 lead, as Triston McKenzie has calmed down after a shaky start.
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Steven Kwan two-run double extends Guardians lead over A's
Apr 19, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan (38) celebrates after scoring during the fifth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
The Guardians loaded the bases, and Steven Kwan made it count on the first pitch.
Kwan turned on the first pitch from Boyle and lined a ball down the right-field line to bring home two runs and extend the Guardians lead to 4-1.
Kwan is off to a tremendous start to the season atop the Guardiasn lineup and is now hitting .353 with an .834 OPS.
Triston McKenzie done after five innings against A's
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie (24) throws a pitch against the Oakland Athletics on April 19, 2024, in Cleveland.
Triston McKenzie really settled down nicely after a rough start.
McKenzie was strong after the initial hiccup, and finished with one earned run allowed on three hits and three walks with six strikeouts in five innings.
After the lead-off home run by Toro, McKenzie allowed just two hits and three walks over the final four innings.
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The Guardians are now cruising up 7-1.
Tyler Freeman home run gives Guardians lead over Oakland A's
Apr 19, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians center fielder Tyler Freeman (2) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the second inning against the Oakland Athletics at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Tyler Freeman is having himself a heck of a game.
After his highlight-reel catch in the top of the second, Freeman just gave the Guardians the lead in the bottom of the second inning with a two-run home run to the opposite field (also known as oppo-taco, of course).
Freeman, giving a crack at the primary center field job to start the season, has played the position fine in the field but hasn't had the best start at the plate. But the Guardians now lead 2-1 after that homer, Freeman's third of the season.
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Freeman's OPS for the season now sits at .705.
A's strand the bases loaded against Triston McKenzie; Oakland leads Cleveland Guardians
The A's had a chance to really break the game open but came up short.
Oakland loaded the bases with two outs, which brought up Toro, who already has a home run tonight.
McKenzie got the best of him this time, inducing a pop up behind the plate that was caught by Bo Naylor to end the inning.
The A's lead 1-0, but it could have been much more. McKenzie, again, has looked shaky.
Tyler Freeman diving catch robs Lawrence Butler of extra bases; See the video
Lawrence Butler drilled a Triston McKenzie offering but didn't get rewarded for the hard contact.
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Butler lined a ball to deep center field in the top of the second inning. Tyler Freeman roamed back, turning each direction as he tracked it down, and then caught it with a full-out dive as he ranged toward the wall. It would have been at least a double for Butler had Freeman not come down with it.
The A's lead the Guardians 1-0.
Abraham Toro home run leads off Guardians A's-Game
Well that was quick.
A's leadoff hitter Abraham Toro took the third pitch of the game from Triston McKenzie and drilled it a for a no-doubt, solo home run over the right-field wall.
Triston McKenzie opted to forego surgery on his elbow last year. This season, he's done nothing to help with any concern surrounding his long-term health, both with his velocity and performance.
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Here is some pregame information.
How can I watch/stream/listen to Cleveland Guardians vs. Oakland A's
The April 19 Guardians-A's game will be televised on Bally Sports Great Lakes. It'll be broadcast over the radio on WTAM 1100 and WMMS 100.7.
Guardians vs. A's pitching matchup: Triston McKenzie vs. Joe Boyle
Triston McKenzie has been a spot for some concern thus far for Cleveland. Coming off of an elbow injury last year, McKenzie's velocity has been down, and he has a 6.23 ERA entering Friday.
He'll take the mound opposite Joe Boyle for the A's.
Cleveland Guardians lineup vs. Oakland A's
Apr 17, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Cleveland Guardians first baseman Josh Naylor (22) bats against the Boston Red Sox during the seventh inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
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Steven Kwan, LF
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Andres Gimenez, 2B
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Jose Ramirez, 3B
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Josh Naylor, 1B
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Will Brennan , RF
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Tyler Freeman, CF
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Bo Naylor, C
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Estevan Florial , DH
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Brayan Rocchio , SS
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Oakland A's lineup vs. Cleveland Guardians
Athletics third baseman Abraham Toro singles against the Tigers during the first inning on Sunday, April 7, 2024, at Comerica Park.
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Abraham Toro, 3B
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Zack Gelof , 2B
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JJ Bleday , CF
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Seth Brown , LF
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Tyler Nevin , DH
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Lawrence Butler, RF
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Shea Langeliers , C
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Ryan Noda , 1B
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Nick Allen , SS
What's new at Progressive Field in 2024?
The Guardians unveiled all of the new food items and renovation project updates at Progressive Field.
Tearful discussion: 'I was falling back in love with pitching': Shane Bieber fights back tears discussing injury
Cleveland Guardians next game
The Guardians continue their series vs. the A's at 6:10, Saturday.
Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis1@gannett.com. Read more about the Guardians at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/cleveland-guardians. Follow him on Threads at @ByRyanLewis .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Guardians vs Athletics live game score, updates, highlights
