Matthew Boyd started for the Cleveland Guardians in Wednesday’s day game against the Chicago White Sox, the last of a nine-game road trip. After facing two formidable opponents in the Royals and Dodgers, this series seemed like the squad had taken off the ankle weights. Boyd got out to a good start, allowing a single in the first but striking out three, as well as hitting a batter and walking one in the second but striking out two. Boyd was one foul tip away from having an outstanding first inning.
The third inning should be rewatched from beginning to end with Benny Hill music playing in the background, because it was so funny. In the bottom of the third, Boyd loaded the bases with two singles and a rare throwing error by Andrés Giménez (this scoring could be challenged). With one out, Lenyn Sosa singled, scoring Chicago’s first run and Boyd’s only earned run. Boyd balked to score another run, a ground out scored another, and the hijinks concluded with a final RBI single. In nine hitters, Chicago cut the margin to one run. During the final RBI single, the ball came back at Boyd and smacked his glove hand. Boyd’s x-rays were clear, but he suffered a bruise on his glove hand, according to a postgame interview with manager Stephen Vogt.
Relief crew tossed its 53rd game of scoreless ball in three innings-plus. That's the most in MLB 🙌🙌🙌#ForTheLand | @CleGuardians pic.twitter.com/1eMiSBNCnL
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) September 11, 2024
There wasn’t much to worry about in the game, but the clarification was helpful. Boyd returned in the fourth inning and continued to battle. He walked the first batter but had two strikeouts to end the inning. Boyd struck out Vaughn in the fifth inning, but then gave up a double before being lifted by Nick Sandlin. Boyd made 95 pitches in 4.1 innings of work. He gave up six hits and walked two. Only one of the four runs conceded was earned. Boyd struck out nine hitters.
The Guardians Bullpen continues to dominate. Nick Sandlin won his eighth win by pitching 1.1 innings and allowing only one hit and one walk while striking out two. Cade Smith earned his 25th hold, pitching 1.1 innings and striking out two. Hunter Gaddis recorded his 32nd save of the season in 1.0 innings of work, striking out all three batters faced on 13 pitches. Emmanuel Clase recorded his 44th save of the season, tying his previous season’s total. I believe Vogt will let Clase pitch in as many save situations as he can between now and the end of the season. Clase has a legitimate chance of reaching 50 saves in the following 16 games.
"Wanna see me drive in two runs on an infield single?
Wanna see me do it again?" – Lane Thomas pic.twitter.com/6d2VvxzjmM
— MLB (@MLB) September 11, 2024
The Cleveland offense maintained their dominance over the White Sox pitching staff. Steven Kwan returned to form with a called strike one, followed by a line drive single to center. José Ramírez then released his own single. Steven Kwan advanced to third on a Josh Naylor flyout. José would not be left at first base; runners in the corners are not sufficient for him. José swiped his 38th base on his quest for 40/40. Lane Thomas’ persistence was rewarded with a single in the infield. However, what would normally be a routine 5-3 out turned into two RBIs. Lane, with his tremendous speed, beat out the nice throw to first base while his teammates demonstrated their own speed. Kwan scored from third base, and José scored from second, leaving Chicago powerless to respond. Lane Thomas returned to the plate in the top of the third inning with one out, facing a familiar position. Steven Kwan was on third after walking to base. Giménez was on second base after hitting a single. Both runners advanced on a José groundout. With two outs, Lane Thomas blasted another two-run single, beating out his teammates’ strong throw to first and heads-up baserunning.
This is almost certainly unique to Lane Thomas as the batter. Not so much because of his hitting as for his quickness and ability to run the bases. I don’t think anyone else on this team is capable of achieving this twice in the same game; José and Kwan would have gone close, but I believe they would have been kicked out right away. Now that his bat is getting hot, Lane is demonstrating why the front office sought him out. He is similar to Myles Straw for this club in center field and on the basepaths, but he can smash home runs, get on base consistently, and contribute offensively.
No one has more fun than Austin Hedges.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/EPJ1QSD0wq
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) September 11, 2024
We need to return to the top of the third for a second. Prior to Lane’s second two-RBI single of the game, the Guardians led 2-0 when Austin Hedges slugged his second home run of the season.
The score would remain 5-4 until the top of the eighth inning. Will Brennan was brought in to pinch hit for Jhonkensy Noel in the top of the sixth inning. With runners on the corner, Brennan hit a ground ball to first base, scoring Lane from third.
I understand that this was a series against the White Sox, but it is tough not to be enthusiastic about the energy that this series will carry into the remainder of the season. This club has 11 games remaining before their next off day, which will be a travel day following their game vs St. Louis. Vogt appears to be putting together his own postseason lineup on a daily basis, which is beneficial to those who require consistent at-bats. I don’t anticipate the squad to let up, and I fully expect the “every game is a playoff game” mentality to carry over. The Guardians will meet the Tampa Bay Rays in a four-game series beginning today with a nationally televised game. The Rays were just swept by the Phillies and will be without a pitcher through Friday. The AL Central magic number is thirteen.
