March 21 Game - Listening to Hammy and Rosie and Keeping Score

 Just like my childhood.  Listening to Cleveland on the radio and keeping score.

News today that Tyler Freeman, Micah Pries and Luis Oviedo were sent to the minors.  No real surprises there but my guess (hope) is that we will see each of them make a significant contribution to the Guardians major league team during the season.  Certainly I can envision a scenario where all of them could be on our playoff roster if we make the playoffs this year.  Keep your heads up, boys.  You can be a part of the Guardians again before you know it.

Thoughts about the game:

PITCHERS

Mckenzie is still scuffling, not being able to command his pitches or put batters away, only making it through 4 1/3 innings against a weaker lineup with only 3 major leaguers (Peralta, Heyward, Muncy) in it.  When they did make contact, the Dodgers hit the ball well against McKenzie.   He did K 4 batters but the 3 run homer to Peralta, following a bloop double and a walk to the 8th and 9th hitters,  was a killer. 

Karinchak came in for McKenzie with one out, one on in the 5th and got the next two guys with ease.  He stayed on to work in the 6th to easily get the first two guys out, one on a swinging strike.

Tim Herrin came on and allowed some traffic on the bases adding to the drama more than us faint-hearted fans would like.  He was just OK, leaving doubt about how he will do if he makes the team and how much better he would be with a half season at AAA to finish off his pitching development.  Then he got hit on the left elbow while sitting in the dugout in the 9th. 

Xxavion Curry finished off the game with a clean 4 outs, including stranding two runners left on by Herrin in the 8th, while striking out 3.  Again, I think his stuff plays so well in the bullpen but, like Herrin, he could probably benefit with some AAA time to refine his role in the bullpen. 

HITTERS

Naylor got a hit and line out to center field off the left hander Kershaw which is a good sign as he supposedly worked this winter on hitting lefthanders.  He also lined out in his next AB.

Kwan hung in there against Kershaw but was 0-3.  

Gimenez with a hit.

Gallagher a smashed double to drive in 2 runs.

Roman Quinn came in for Straw and misplayed a line drive before he dove to save himself, and Morillo.

Bell, continuing his spring trend, hit 3 groundballs, one for a hit.  Your power hitting first baseman should not be grounding out or striking out all the time.

Gonzalez apparently is still not there after his 3 hit game yesterday but he did hit to the right field like he did a lot last year with two strikes in his last AB.

Quinn came in and got a line drive hit in his lone trip to the plate.