/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73360432/2153296168.0.jpg?w=640&ssl=1)
News and Notes: Guardians Somehow Win Without Ramon Laureano.
The Guardians designated Ramon Laureano for assignment, called up Johnathan Rodriguez, and executed a very business-like win over the New York Mets on Monday night, 3-1.
For the second straight game, the Guardians scored early, with a two-out single from David Fry driving in Jose Ramirez and Josh Naylor.
Delivering once more!
David Fry drives in two runs with a two-out opposite-field single to give the @CleGuardians a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/UjDZDEx5xI
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) May 20, 2024
Fry had a single, a walk and a stolen base and has certainly made the case for getting everyday at-bats somewhere… I’m not sure where that happens when Kwan returns, because Kyle Manzardo is figuring things out:
There’s that Man-(Zardo) again!
Kyle Manzardo comes through with a one-out RBI double to give the @CleGuardians a 3-1 lead over the Mets in the fourth inning.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/5pa04flTdE
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) May 20, 2024
So, if you want to get your young catcher who is framing exceptionally well right, if you want Manzardo to figure things out, maybe David Fry becomes more of a full-time left-fielder with spot starts at catcher and DH? Or, maybe Tyler Freeman moves back to the infield and Fry moves to left and Kwan moves to center? Seems unlikely the team will move Kwan to center coming off of a hamstring injury, however. This will be an interesting process to follow, but, man, is it helpful to have a versatile defender like Fry who hits anywhere you play him!
“Everything I do, I try to just be a good baseball player.”
Utility man David Fry is grateful for the respect of his manager, Stephen Vogt, and teammates, who appreciate the way he plays the game and his willingness to do anything to help the @CleGuardians win.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/42mH1AuvI1
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) May 21, 2024
Ben Lively was back to being good, giving up one solo home run, six hits, zero walks and striking out seven in five and two-thirds. Nick Sandlin performed his fireman role admirably and then scoreless innings from Scott Barlow, Cade Smith and Emmanuel Clase closed out the game. Guardians also atoned for some sloppy defense Sunday with some nice defensive plays Monday:
The old 1-6-5-3 double play!
The @CleGuardians turn a unique double play to short-circuit the Mets’ half of the second inning.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/R7YkaqRcqY
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) May 20, 2024
The Mets have a very good bullpen so it will be important for the Guardians to score off New York starting pitching in this series, and, so far, things are going to plan as they got to Trevor Megill, who is a solid pitcher, for three runs.
I enjoyed hearing from Ben Lively after the game:
