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Cleveland Guardians Opening Day 2024 score, highlights: Shane Bieber keys win over A's
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- Cleveland Guardians Opening Day 2024 score, highlights: Shane Bieber keys win over A's
Shane Bieber took the mound for what could very well be his last Opening Day in a Cleveland uniform and the Stephen Vogt era began as the Guardians shut out the Oakland Athletics in an 8-0 win Thursday night.
Myles Straw has been left off the Opening Day roster and accepted an assignment to Triple-A Columbus after clearing waivers. Tyler Freeman got the first start in center field. And as previously announced, Brayan Rocchio received the start at shortstop.
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Shane Bieber struck out 11 (and joined some elite company in doing so) and the Guardians offense rallied for a rive-run fourth.
Cleveland Guardians players celebrate their 8-0 Opening Day victory over the Athletics, March 28, 2024, in Oakland.
Here's how the game unfolded through our updates and analysis throughout the Opening Day game late Thursday night.
Top of the ninth: Guardians tack on two more insurance runs
Cleveland Guardians third baseman José Ramírez follows through on his ninth-inning RBI triple, March 28, 2024, in Oakland.
David Fry added an RBI sac fly and Jose Ramirez tripled home a run. The Guardians are cruising up 8-0 in Oakland. If there was one team to face as a new manager, it's Oakland.
Bottom of the sixth: Shane Bieber records his 10th strikeout
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Shane Bieber delivers a pitch against the Athletics on March 28, 2024, in Oakland, California.
Shane Bieber is hitting all of his spots tonight, and he now has a double-digit strikeout night to start the season.
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This is Bieber's third Opening Day outing with at least 10 strikeouts, joining Bob Gibson, Pedro Martinez , Felix Hernandez and Max Scherzer . Only Randy Johnson has more, with four.
Bieber went on to finish his night with 11 strikeouts, four hits and a walk in six scoreless innings. It was a tremendous start to his season, which is a vital year when it comes to his future.
Top of the fifth: Josh Naylor hit by a pitch
Josh Naylor is being checked on by Guardians trainers after being hit in the wrist/hand area with a pitch. He was in obvious pain, but he's staying in the game. Though he was immediately thrown out trying to steal second.
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Top of the fourth: Guardians break it open with a five-run inning
Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges (27) knocks the ball out of the glove of Athletics first baseman Ryan Noda as Noda tried to apply a tag during the fourth inning, March 28, 2024, in Oakland.
The Guardians have already knocked Alex Wood out of the game with a five-run rally in the fourth inning that has given them a 6-0 lead.
After loading the bases, Andres Gimenez singled home a run with a single back up the middle. Austin Hedges then reached on an infield single in which the ball popped out of Ryan Noda 's glove, which allowed two more runs to score. Brayan Rocchio capped the inning with a two-run double to left.
And now Bieber has the ability to set it on cruise control.
Bottom of the second: Shane Bieber strikes out the side (again)
It's probably important to remember the lineup he's facing, but Shane Bieber is absolutely rolling and has the chance to put him a pretty special night.
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Through two innings, Bieber has struck out six, setting down the side on strikes in both the first and second frames. That'll work. And his fastball has topped out at 93.7 mph, which is the best sign for the Guardians.
Top of the second: Tyler Freeman gives the Guardians the lead over the A's
The first hit of the 2024 Guardians season belongs to David Fry, who doubled down the left field line.
And the first RBI of the 2024 season belongs to Tyler Freeman, who drove Fry in with a double to left-center. And that's a pretty early indicator of why Freeman won the center field job out of spring camp.
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Bottom of the first: Shane Bieber strikes out the side to start the season
Shane Bieber's first inning of the year looked pretty strong. He gave up a hit but also struck out the side.
Perhaps more importantly, his fastball velocity averaged 92.8 mph, up 1.5 mph from last year.
Top of the first: Steven Kwan opens with a bunt
Well, the Stephen Vogt era in Cleveland opened with a bunt. Steven Kwan bunted the very first pitch of the season and was out via a sliding catch from first baseman Ryan Noda. So, that was quick.
Here is some pregame information.
Guardians 2024 MLB season preview: The top 5 things that need to go right to make playoffs
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Trevor Stephan undergoes Tommy John surgery
Trevor Stephen underwent Tommy John surgery Wednesday, officially ending his 2024 season. The procedure repaired his UCL and addressed a bone spur issue.
Stephan has been given a timetable of 12-to-16 months to return to game activity, meaning there's a good chance he'll also start the 2025 season on the injured list. And considering pitchers often need several months after returning, he may not be able to get back to his normal levels until 2026.
Cleveland Guardians roster set for 2024 Opening Day
The Guardians officially set their Opening Day roster Thursday afternoon.
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Of note, Myles Straw will start the season in Triple-A Columbus. Estevan Florial , who is in a way exercising his last shot to make it in the majors, will have a chance to see some time in the outfield. Tyler Freeman will get the first crack in center.
Gavin Williams (right elbow inflammation), Sam Hentges (left finger inflammation), James Karinchak (right shoulder inflammation), Ben Lively (viral illness) and Xzavion Curry (viral illness) have all been placed on the injured list. Trevor Stephan (elbow surgery) has been placed on the 60-day IL.
That slew of pitching injuries opened the door for Carlos Carrasco , Tyler Beede , Tim Herrin , Hunter Gaddis and Cade Smith to make the Opening Day roster in what is already a banged-up bullpen.
Cleveland Guardians lineup for Opening Day 2024
Here is Stephen Vogt's first lineup of the season.
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Steven Kwan LFJose Ramirez 3BRamon Laureano RFJosh Naylor 1BDavid Fry DHTyler Freeman CFAndres Gimenez 2BAustin Hedges CBrayan Rocchio SS
Bold predictions: Cleveland Guardians 2024 bold predictions for Jose Ramirez, Shane Bieber, Triston McKenzie
Oakland A's lineup vs. Cleveland Guardians
Ryan Noda 1BZack Gelof 2BJJ Bleday CFBrent Rooker DHSeth Brown LFJ.D. Davis 3BSeth Langeliers CLawrence Butler RFNick Allen SS
How can I watch/stream/listen to Cleveland Guardians at Oakland Athletics
The March 28 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.
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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: Cleveland Guardians score updates Opening Day 2024 vs Athletics
