News and Notes: Guardians Sweep Twins Despite Keystone Cops Top of Ninth

News and Notes for Monday, May 20th, 2024

Pictured above is the moment the Guardians seemed bound and determined to give the Twins a chance to salvage the weekend series.

After Brayan Rocchio's hubris inspired him to fail in an attempt to try to beat Byron Buxton to second base instead of throwing to first for a sure out, Emmanuel Clase fumbled a flip from Josh Naylor while running to cover first, Naylor then inexplicably threw to third while Buxton was about halfway down the third baseline. And the score was tied 2-2.

All of this became moot in the bottom of the ninth when Andres Gimenez reached base via a walk, Josh Naylor was intentionally walked and Will Brennan got a first pitch curveball from a Johan Duran who throws 101 mph fastballs and 95 mph splinkers.

Brennan's fly ball rate is up 12% from last year, his pull rate is up 10% and his average launch angle is up by over 3 degrees. So, not only is he hitting the ball a lot harder more often but he is doing it in a manner far more likely to produce runs. Props to CTC user DelGua who has been reminding this board not to give up on Brennan all offseason.

Tanner Bibee was sensational allowing only one run in 7 innings, Hunter Gaddis had a dominant appearance in the 8th and a great series of weekend crowds at Progressive Field went home happy at the end of everyday. Oh, yes, and Andres Gimenez hit a two-run homer in the first. His torturing of the Twins fanbase never ceases to amuse.

Now, the Mets come to town and the Guardians will try to win a series and see if they can distance themselves at all from the upstart Royals who demolished the A's this weekend.

Steven Kwan is nearing a rehab assignment by the beginning of next week, Chase DeLauter is resuming baseball activities, and Gavin Williams had a great second bullpen session. So, it's a good morning to be a Cleveland Guardians fan, all around!