Guardians beat White Sox after solar eclipse

CLEVELAND (WJW / AP) – The joy began early at Progressive Discipline, as totality swept throughout Cleveland throughout the complete photo voltaic eclipse and Guardians gamers and followers alike watched the spectacle Monday afternoon.

The Guardians saved the momentum excessive as they defeated the Chicago White Sox of their season dwelling opener, 4-0.

Three hours after followers chanted “José, José, José, José” whereas the solar was blocked by the moon for a number of minutes, José Ramírez related within the fifth inning off Bryan Shaw and helped the Guardians enhance to 8-2.

It was Ramírez’s 174th homer, transferring him previous Al Rosen for probably the most by a 3rd baseman in Cleveland historical past.

Triston McKenzie (1-1) pitched 5 2/3 innings for Cleveland, off to a stunning begin and its finest since 2011. The fitting-hander mixed with 4 relievers on a four-hitter.

The White Sox dropped their fifth straight to fall to 1-9. They had been shut for the fourth time and have scored an MLB-low 16 runs, the membership’s fewest in 10 video games since 1968.

Chicago wasn’t significantly better within the discipline, committing three errors, two by third baseman Yoán Moncada.

Supervisor Stephen Vogt’s first sport in Cleveland was preceded by the spectacular eclipse that lived as much as the hype. The 39-year-old former catcher joined gamers on the sector and wore solar-safe glasses to look at the celestial occasion.

Vogt additionally loved Ramírez’s shot into the right-field seats.

McKenzie was restricted to only 4 begins final season because of elbow points. Not solely are the Guardians hoping he stays wholesome, they want the 26-year-old to tackle a bigger position with ace Shane Bieber about to have season-ending Tommy John surgical procedure.

Cleveland scratched out a run within the third and fourth innings.

Andrés Giménez doubled off Tanner Banks (0-1) within the third and scored when White Sox shortstop Braden Shewmake booted Brayan Rocchio’s grounder.

The Guardians made it 2-0 within the fourth, loading the bases off Dominic Leone earlier than Tim Hill got here on and hit Giménez.

Former Guardians stars Corey Kluber and Michael Brantley, who each introduced retirement earlier than this season, tossed out the customary first pitch.

Gates opened at 2 p.m. for followers to look at the eclipse earlier than the massive sport. Try extra eclipse pictures right here.

TRAINER’S ROOM

White Sox: All-Star OF Luis Robert (proper hip flexor) was damage whereas working the bases on April 5 at Kansas Metropolis. Supervisor Pedro Grifol adamantly denied {that a} timetable has been set for his return. “That’s nonsense,” he mentioned. “To set a date for his restoration will not be in anybody’s finest curiosity. He’s a premium athlete that prepares very well.” Robert missed 3½ months with a extra extreme model of the harm in 2021.

Guardians: Bieber acquired a heat ovation when he was launched throughout pregame ceremonies. The 2020 Cy Younger Award winner is predicted to have surgical procedure this week. Bieber had been dominant in his first two begins regardless of elbow soreness.

UP NEXT

White Sox RHP Michael Soroka (0-1, 4.91 ERA) begins the second sport of the sequence in opposition to Cleveland LHP Logan Allen (2-0, 2.31 ERA).

The Related Press contributed to this report.