Cleveland Sports Forum

Guardians rally for five runs in eighth inning to beat Tigers, 6-1, and force deciding Game 3 in wild card series


Updated: Oct. 01, 2025, 7:30 p.m.|Published: Oct. 01, 2025, 4:25 p.m.


By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com


CLEVELAND, Ohio — A baseball season, especially in the postseason, does not stroll quietly into the good night. Unless it happens to belong to the last team standing, it almost always ends with a sudden impact and squealing tires.

Put the sudden impact and burning rubber on hold for at least one more day. The Guardians just climbed back into the driver’s seat.

On a day when Chase DeLauter, the first player in franchise history to make his big league debut in the postseason, caught most of the fly balls hit his way, the Guardians’ silent offense erupted for five runs in the eighth inning to beat the Tigers, 6-1.

The AL wild card series will now be decided a winner-take-all Game 3 on Thursday.

Brayan Rocchio, who goes simply by “Rocctober” at this time of the year, broke a tense 1-1 tie with a one-out homer off Troy Melton in the eighth. That’s when the offense finally found its stride on a windy Wednesday at Progressive Field.

It was Rocchio’s homer in the 10th inning on Sunday that clinched the AL Central for the Guardians on the final day of the regular season. So Wednesday’s setting fit him perfectly

“I was lucky enough to face Melton a couple of times in Triple-A,” said Rocchio, through interpreter Agustine Rivero. “When a guy is throwing 100 mph, you just try to keep things simple.

“Jose (Ramirez) told me to look for the fastball and that’s what I did.”

Rocchio hit an 0-2 fastball from Melton that crossed the plate at 100 mph.

Ramirez on Sept. 18 hit a game-winning two-run homer off Melton in the seventh inning of a 3-1 win at Comerica Park.

Steven Kwan, in a 2-for-26 skid, followed Rocchio with a double. Daniel Scheemann, in a 10-for-82 slump, doubled him home, and Ramírez was intentionally walked.

Brant Hurter relieved for Detroit, but Bo Naylor greeted him with a three-run homer into the right field seats as the crowd of 25,659 roared like 50,000.

“It was a frustrating day for us offensively,” said manager Stephen Vogt. “For our guys to explode like that felt really good.”

Since the current three-team wild card system was implemented in 2020, only two teams have comeback to win the best-of-three series after losing Game 1. Can the Guardians make it three?

“Our back was against the wall today and it’s still against the wall,” said Vogt. “We’re going to come out ready to go and so will they. It’s going to be another dogfight. I guarantee it.”

The Guardians took a 1-0 lead in the first inning against Detroit starter Casey Mize on a George Valera homer with one out. Valera hit a 3-2 pitch over the wall in center field for his third homer since being recalled from the minors on Sept. 1.

Guardians starter Tanner Bibee made that lead stand until he ran into control problems in the fourth inning. With Riley Greene on second, and two out, he walked Dillon Dingler and Zach McKinstry to load the bases. Javier Baez, the No. 9 hitter, singled into center field to score Greene and apparently Dingler for a 2-1 lead.

However, DeLauter, who had dropped the first ball hit to him in the first inning for an error, threw a strike to Ramírez at third to get McKinstry. Third base umpire Stu Scheurwater called McKinstry safe, but the Guardians challenged the call.

The safe call was overturned, which in turn took Dingler’s run off the board because it was determined that the out at third was made before Dingler had scored.

“Credit Gunnar (Wilhelym) our replay coordinator,” said Vogt. “He does an outstanding job. I don’t have any eyes on it. He said challenge the play and the run didn’t score.

“That’s why I went out there to tell the umpires, ”Hey, that run did not score. Can you make sure they check on that?’"

Bibee came out for the fifth, but he was removed with two out and two on as lefty Erik Sabrowski relieved to end the inning. In his last three starts, all against the Tigers, Bibee went 2-0, while allowing three runs in 16 2/3 innings. He struck out six, walked three and allowed one run in 4 2/3 innings Wednesday.

“With the score today, I was all about run prevention,” said Bibee. “There were a couple of innings where I shot myself in the foot with walks, but in that situation, in such a close gamre, preventing runs is the key moment.

“Especially with our bulllpen being good as it has been.”

Sabrowski, Hunter Gaddis, Tim Herrin, Jakob Junis and Cade Smith combined to pitch 4 1/3 scoreless innings in relief of Gaddis.

The Guardians made it to the postseason despite having their lowest team batting average in team history at .226. For the first seven innings they scored one run on two hits after losing Game 1 of the wild card series, 2-1, on Tuesday with just four hits.

The Tigers had numerous chances, but the Guardians’ bullpen stopped them.

In the sixth, they had runners on first and second with two out when Parker Meadows sent a fly ball to DeLauter. He made an awkward-looking catch to end the inning.

Gaddis retired Spencer Torkelson on a fly ball to short left field, and Herrin relieved to strike out pinch-hitter Jahmai Jones and Wenceel Perez. Herrin battled Perez through a seven-pitch at-bat before getting the strikeout.

The Guardians and Tigers have played 15 times this season, 13 in the regular season and twice in the wild card. The Guardians h old a 9-6 lead.

Next

RHP Slade Cecconi (7-7, 4.30) vs. RHP Jack Flaherty (8-15, 4.64) Thursday at 1:08 p.m. Game time is subject to change. ESPN, WTAM, WMMS and the Guardians radio network will carry the game.


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CONDENSED GAME 2 OF THE PLAYOFFS


https://www.mlb.com/video/condensed-gam ... nsed-games


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No need for highlights. Don't think there were any.

Chase DeLauter talks preparing for 2026 season & More

January 20, 2026 | 00:01:41


https://www.mlb.com/video/chase-delaute ... EETEXT&p=0


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Truck Day marks the beginning of Guardians’ massive logistical operation

Updated: Jan. 29, 2026, 5:05 p.m.|Published: Jan. 29, 2026, 2:31 p.m.

By Joe Noga, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Guardians’ home clubhouse at Progressive Field sits nearly empty now, a visual signal that baseball season is approaching. Truck day, the annual event where equipment and supplies are loaded onto trucks bound for spring training, took place Thursday morning.

Truck Day represents far more than just a photo opportunity, it’s the culmination of nearly a year of planning and preparation.

“It’s almost a 10-month process because the orders have to go in so early for things that come internationally and things like that,” explained Brandon Biller, the Guardians’ home clubhouse manager. “But we start to see the bulk of the product arrive in December and then we slowly start to prep it. Once the calendar turns to January, it’s full go.”

This year’s operation benefited from the team’s new facilities, including an expanded clubhouse and equipment room that streamlined the preparation process.

“It was actually a huge help,” Biller said. “Just with the new equipment room, we were able to lay out everything in there. We built all our (equipment) sets here for the players, so when we get to Arizona, everything’s ready to go right in their lockers.”

The scale of the move is massive – essentially relocating the entire baseball side of the organization to Goodyear, Arizona, for spring training. The shipment includes everything from uniforms and apparel to bats and baseballs, all meticulously organized on pallets.

What many fans might not realize is that “Truck Day” isn’t just about moving baseball equipment. It’s also about ensuring players and staff have what they need to live comfortably during their extended stay in Arizona.

“Not only are you going to do your job, but you’re going to live there for close to 50 days,” Biller noted. “There’s bikes, personal luggage, kids toys. All those things they need in order to make that transition as easy as possible. It all goes with us.”

The process represents a significant improvement from recent years when construction at Progressive Field complicated preparations. “It’s been a few years since we’ve been down here with all the construction,” Biller told reporters. “This year we were able to use the new clubhouse and new equipment room for all the prep, and everything went really smooth.”

Once loaded, the truck faces a four-day journey to Arizona, weather permitting. “They’re gonna load today and then we’ll unload next Wednesday,” Biller explained. Upon arrival, the team hits the ground running. “It takes us about two days to get set up,” he said, noting that players are already in Arizona throwing bullpens and hitting.

“They’re waiting for us.”

For Biller and his team, seeing the equipment room empty brings a sense of accomplishment and anticipation. “It’s funny to see an empty equipment room, but it’s a good feeling like, ‘OK, it’s time to go, time to get started,’” he said.

This carefully orchestrated operation ensures that when Cactus League games begin, everything from batting helmets to bicycles is exactly where it needs to be. The players can focus on preparing for the season ahead, while fans back in Cleveland know that baseball’s return is just around the corner.

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Travis Bazzana among non-roster players invited to big-league camp by Guardians

Updated: Jan. 30, 2026, 2:05 p.m.|Published: Jan. 30, 2026, 1:05 p.m.

By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Second baseman Travis Bazzana, the Guardians’ No.1 prospect according to MLB.com, is among the 26 players who have invited to spring training as non-roster players.

The Guardians made Bazzana the No.1 pick in the entire 2024 draft when they selected him out of Oregon State. He reached Triple-A Columbus last season, but was hampered by oblique injuries.

Bazzana, 23, will interrupt his first big-league camp to play for his native Australia in the World Baseball Classic in March.

Bazzana is one of 18 players from the Guardians’ minor league system to be invited to camp in Goodyear, Arizona. Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report on Feb. 10.

Here’s the breakdown:

Pitchers: Tanner Burns, Aaron Davenport, Trenton Denholm, Will Dion, Jack Leftwich, Tommy Mace, Jake Miller, Trevor Stephan and Ryan Webb.

Stephan, a member of the Guardians bullpen from 2021 through 2023, is still recovering from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. He’s signed through 2026 with club options for 2027 and 2028.

Catchers: Cameron Barstad, Jacob Cozart, Kody Huff and Cooper Ingle.

Infielders: Bazzana, Dayan Frias, Milan Tolentino and Ralphy Velazquez.

Outfielders: Alfonsin Rosario.


Players from outside the organization who will come to camp on minor league deals include:


Pitchers: Pedro Avila, Carlos Hernandez, Codi Heuer and Steven Perez.

Catchers: Dom Nunez.

Infielders: Carter Kieboom.

Outfielders: Wuilfredo Antunez and Stuart Fairchild.


Five Guardians’ minor leaguers to watch this year:


Bazzana: He split last season between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus. He hit a combined .245 (74 for 302) with 17 doubles, nine homers, 39 RBI and a .813 OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage).

Cozart: The Guardians selected him with their second pick in 2024 out of North Carolina State. He hit a combined .235 (80 for 340) with nine homers, 49 RBI and a .711 OPS.

Ingle: The Guardians used their fourth round pick out of Clemson in 2023 to take the left-handed hitting catcher. Last season, he hit .260 (108 for 415) with 10 homers, 55 RBI and a .808 OPS at Akron and Columbus.

Rosario: The right-handed hitting outfielder finished 2025 ranked second in Cleveland’s minor league system with 21 homers at High-A Lake County and Akron.

Velazquez: The Guardians first-round pick in 2023 out of Huntington Beach (Calif.) High School, led Cleveland’s minor league system with 23 homers, 128 hits, 85 RBI, 59 extra base hits, nine triples and 240 total bases at Lake County and Akron. He finished second with 77 runs, a .497 slugging percentage and a .839 OPS.

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Led by Bazzana, Guards' NRI list includes top prospects, familiar faces

47 minutes ago

Anne Rogers

The Guardians have invited 26 non-roster players to Major League Spring Training this year, which begins in less than two weeks in Goodyear, Ariz.

Headlining the list and figuring to be a major storyline all season long is Cleveland’s top prospect, Travis Bazzana, who checked in at No. 20 in MLB’s Top 100 rankings released last week. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 Draft batted .246/.383/.430 between Double-A and Triple-A last season while dealing with a right oblique strain. He ended the Triple-A season on the injured list with left flank soreness.

But if he’s healthy in 2026, Bazzana could force his way onto the Major League roster and make his debut at some point this season. He’ll get a chance to show off all his tools in front of the big league coaching staff this spring.

The Guardians’ NRI list includes 18 from within the organization and eight Minor League free-agent signings. Of the 18 internal invitees, there are four other Top 30 prospects along with Bazzana: catcher Cooper Ingle (No. 4), first baseman/outfielder Ralphy Velazquez (No. 9), outfielder Alfonsin Rosario (No. 12) and catcher Jacob Cozart (No. 17).






Among the club’s Minor League signings is outfielder Stuart Fairchild, who is competing with a crowded outfield but hits right-handed -- and the Guardians have just four right-handed hitters on the 40-man roster right now.

The NRI group also includes reliever Codi Heuer, who broke into the big leagues back in 2020 with the White Sox and looked like a rising high-leverage reliever before sustaining injuries that kept him off the mound for much of 2022-24.

And reliever Pedro Avila returns to the organization after a year in Japan; the 29-year-old logged 74 2/3 innings for the Guardians in 2024 and posted a 3.25 ERA after the club acquired him from the Padres. Avila pitched for the Yakult Swallows in Japan last season, posting a 3.33 ERA across 102 2/3 innings.






Guardians fans will also recognize Trevor Stephan; the reliever was outrighted to Triple-A last season as he made a comeback following Tommy John surgery in ‘24. Stephan has a track record in Cleveland’s bullpen, including a 2.69 ERA in 66 games during the ‘22 season.

Here is the full list of the Guardians’ NRIs:

Pitchers (13): RHPs Pedro Avila, Tanner Burns, Aaron Davenport, Trenton Denholm, Carlos Hernández, Codi Heuer, Jack Leftwich, Tommy Mace, Jake Miller, Trevor Stephan; LHPs Will Dion, Steven Pérez, Ryan Webb

Catchers (5): Cameron Barstad, Jacob Cozart, Kody Huff, Cooper Ingle, Dom Nuñez

Infielders (5): Travis Bazzana, Dayan Frias, Carter Kieboom, Milan Tolentino, Ralphy Velazquez

Outfielders (3): Wuilfredo Antunez, Stuart Fairchild, Alfonsin Rosario

Guardians pitchers and catchers participating in the World Baseball Classic are set to report to Spring Training on Feb. 9, while the full group of pitchers and catchers will hold their first workout on Feb. 12. The first full-squad workout is scheduled for Feb. 17.

Anne Rogers covers the Royals for MLB.com.

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Tanner Burns and Jake Leftwich are spring training regulars. Leftwich looked very good 2 or 3 springs ago but got hurt. They're both about ready to become minor league free agents so this could the last chance to see them in Goodyear. Don't miss the chance!

Guardians lead the Brewers 6 - 4 in the 5th. Jones off to a good start. A double and a 3-run homer in 3 trips. DeLauter 2-3. Cantillo 1.1/3h/2r/1hr/2k.

NOLAN JONES




WE’RE BACK: Spring Training Rundown

Cactus League Action

by Nicholas Karavolos

Feb 21, 2026, 5:25 PM CST

There was quite a bit of action between today’s two split-squad games, so I’ll try to walk you all through the highlights. The Guardians won both games, against the Reds and Brewers, respectively, to start 2-0 in the Spring.

The addition of the ABS Challenge System to Spring Training games has brought Statcast to every Spring Training game, so we’ll have more concrete stats from every game.

The Reds game featured a few notable Guardians’ pitchers: Logan Allen, Doug Nikhazy, and Colin Holderman.

Allen was decent, and his velocity was up across the board. His CSW% (Called Strikes + Whiffs) was 25%, which is below average. Usage-wise, he dropped the usage on his sinker and picked up the usages on his cutter and changeup. That’s all.

Holderman gave up a loud homer. Velocity was about the same as it was last year. Did a decent enough job of missing bats (outside of the homer).

Nikhazy pitched 2 scoreless innings, and notably, Nikhazy’s sliders were 4 mph faster than they were last year. (unless Statcast was misclassifying those pitches).

On the offensive side, neither Kwan nor Jose got on base. Naylor and Arias had back-to-back doubles to start the scoring. (Naylor’s double was 101 off the bat). Fry went 1/3 with a 96mph RBI double to left. Carter Kieboom (lol) whacked a center-cut fastball to drive in the game’s winning runs. We saw a little of Khalil Watson, Ralphy Velazquez, and Juan Brito, too. Only Watson got on base, however. Singled and walked. Not much to talk about in Ralphy’s performance, but Brito’s highlighted an issue I know many scouts have had with him — his arm. There were a few plays with the potential to turn two, and it seemed like he just wasn’t getting much zip on the ball on his throw to first. Something to monitor throughout Spring Training as we’ve seen the Guardians toy around with Brito both at 1B and in RF.

We got to see a very funky righty reliever in Cam Shuelke. He pitches from a Tyler Rogers-esque arm angle, and threw a 68 mph slider! He was very effective, though, striking out the only batter he faced with the bases loaded.

The Brewers game was much more exciting, and was unfortunately not the game being televised. The starting lineup featured Cantillo on the mound, and DeLauter, Manzardo, Valera, Halpin, and Bazzana. DeLauter went 2/3, with his out coming off a 107mph lineout to the pitcher. Aram Leighton was at the game, and captured videos from all of DeLauter’s 3 BBE’s. You can watch them here. We also got to see Genao, Chourio, Ingle, and Alfonsin Rosario. Ingle clobbered a 3-run homer in his only at-bat. Genao walked, Chourio went 0/2, and Rosario went 0/1.

Cantillo’s velocity was up, though he seemed to be a bit all over the place in the 1st. They took him out and brought him back in for the 2nd, and he gave up a moonshot to Brandon Lockridge. Connor Brogdon came in in the 3rd and struck out 2 Brewers.

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Nolan Jones getting no love

Jones, N
2 - 3
HR, 2B, 4 RBI, R

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Cooper Ingle

1 - 2
HR, 3 RBI, R

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Guardians start spring-training season with split-squad wins over Brewers and Reds

Updated: Feb. 21, 2026, 7:06 p.m.|Published: Feb. 21, 2026, 6:57 p.m.

By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com
MARYVALE, Ariz. — If this was two years ago, maybe even last year, lefty Joey Cantillo would have been worried about his performance Saturday against the Brewers at American Family Field.

He was replaced after throwing 20 pitches in the first inning but was allowed to start the second because of the spring-training re-entry rule. Upon his return, Cantillo allowed a home run on his first pitch to Brandon Lockridge before retiring three straight to end his outing in the Guardians’ 9-6 split-squad win over the Brewers at American Family Field.

In opening the Cactus League season, the Guardians beat the Reds, 4-2, in the other half of the split-squad at Goodyear Ballpark. In that game, Carter Kieboom, in camp on a minor league deal, delivered the game-winning hit with a two-run double in the seventh to break a 2-2 tie.

“Giving up two runs is not what we want to do,” said Cantillo, competing for a spot in the rotation. “But from a process side, and working on the things I want to do, I think it was a pretty positive day.

“I threw a lot of fastballs over the plate. I did some good things.”

In the past, Cantillo has been too self-critical. He’s learning to look at the big picture, especially in spring training where the scores don’t count.

“I can always be hard on myself and pick apart some things,” said Cantillo, who allowed two runs in 1 1/3 innings with two strikeouts. “But having some maturity, having a better view of what we’re trying to do as a whole (is important).

“And coming off last year, we’re going to learn to pick apart the good things.”

The Guardians rallied from a 2-0 deficit against the Brewers for the win. Nolan Jones doubled, homered and drove in four runs to lead the offense.

Jones, coming off a bad season, doubled home one run in the fourth and hit a three-run homer in the sixth.

“What I really liked today is that Nolan was getting the head of the bat out,” said manager Stephen Vogt. “A lot of the time last year he was pushing the ball to left field. For Nolan it’s just a matter of how he’s turning. He’s turning in the box really well.”

Prospects Chase DeLauter and Travis Bazzana contributed to the win as well. DeLauter, hitting leadoff and playing center field, singled in his first two at-bats. Bazzana drew a bases-loaded walk in the fourth for a 2-2 tie.

The game featured the Automatic Ball and Strike challenge system. There were seven challenges in the game with the Guardians making six of them.

“We went 4-for-6,” said Vogt.

Catcher Austin Hedges put it to use in the second when he challenged a ball call to David Hamilton with Cantillo on the mound. The replay showed Cantillo threw a strike at the bottom of the zone and Hamilton was called out.

“I was glad that Hedgy challenged right there,” said Cantillo. “He’s the best in the business at what he does and I had thrown a lot of pitches.”

In the sixth, catching prospect Cooper Ingle challenged a strike call. The replay proved him right and two pitches later he hit a three-run homer to right off Brett Wichrowski for a 9-4 lead.

If the strike call had stood, Ingle would have been down in the count 0-2. Instead, he was 1-1 and eventually homered on a 2-1 pitch.

“We got a strikeout from Hedgy and Coop went from 0-2 to 1-1 and earned himself a 2-1 fastball,” said Vogt. “Those are the times to use it. We’re going to continue to use it and learn from it.”

The Reds took a 2-0 lead against Colin Holderman after Logan Allen started and pitched two scoreless innings. Former Guardian Will Benson supplied one of Cincinnati’s runs with a homer.

The Guardians tied the score on RBI doubles by Gabriel Arias and David Fry in the fourth and sixth innings, respectively. Kieboom, a former No.1 pick of the Nationals, scored Alex Mooney and Kahlil Watson with the game-winner in the seventh.

Next: LHP Park Messick vs. RHP Luis Severino of the Athletics on Monday in Mesa, Ariz. It is the first spring-training start for both pitchers.

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So apparently Nolan Jones has turned the corner and will be near all star version of himself he was in 2014.
I'm excited

One game doesn't make a star, but its a start I guess.

VERY early returns:
Nice to see Ralphy Velazquez with a pair of singles and a walk. Slugger can do other things with the bat
Watson off to a nice start 4 trips to the plate: 2 singles, 1 walk, 1 triple
Bazzana 0-5 with a walk.

In the words of former forum member hillbilly, we may never lose again!