*Photo from Yahoo Sports*
It was the perfect ending. Tyler Freeman drove in a run, Jose Tena had the eventual winning hit, and the Cleveland Guardians defeated the Cincinnati Reds with a 4-3 victory on Wednesday night in Cleveland.
While the win was just the Guardians 4th in their last 10 games, it was the best victory they've had this season. In manager Terry Francona's last game at home as a manager, the Guardians picked up the win as he is set to retire at the end of the season.
Guardians starter Shane Bieber said of Francona that "He deserves everything and more. Everything he got tonight and then some. He’s got a lot to hang his hat on, to be proud of. Everything, all the praise, all the things that he’s able to look back on and cherish, it’s well earned. Well deserved."
Freeman got the scoring started in the second inning, hitting an RBI single to score Ramon Laureano to make it 1-0. Freeman then scored to double the lead to 2-0 as Brayan Rocchio hit an RBI single. In the 3rd inning, Josh Naylor made it 3-0 with an RBI single of his own. Tena hit an RBI single in the 4th inning to build the lead to 4-0.
In the 6th inning, TJ Friedl got the Reds on the board, hitting an RBI single that scored Jonathan India to make it 4-1. In the 8th, India cut the deficit to 4-2 by adding an RBI double, scoring Nick Martini. Later in the inning, India scored on a groundout from Spencer Steer, making the score 4-3. The Guardians held on from there.
After the game, the Guardians players went through the handshake line as usual, but instead of going back to the clubhouse, they all remained in the dugout to honor Francona. As he received a final farewell from the fans, some players blocked the steps to the dugout to keep Francona on the field.
I was like 'Come on, man. Enough.' I think that’s why they were doing it just because they knew I was kind of feeling it. Believe me, down deep, I was really touched. I guess what I’m just trying to convey is the 11 years here are what is the best part. It’s not like the last day. It’s everything I lived through here with the people I was with. That’s what I care about."
Bieber got the start for the Guardians, allowing one run on 5 hits, striking out 7 hitters in 6 innings pitched. Reynaldo Lopez pitched a scoreless 7th before Trevor Stephan allowed two in the 8th. Emmanuel Clase picked up his 43rd save of the season in the 9th to close out the win.
Andrew Abbott lasted just 2 1/3 innings for the Reds, allowing 3 runs on 8 hits. Daniel Duarte then allowed a run in 1 2/3 innings. Alex Young, Buck Farmer, Ben Lively, and Ian Gibaut all pitched a scoreless inning.
Abbott said of his start after the game that "They were putting good swings on pitches. No execution. Tried to get fastballs up, was leaving them down across the middle of the plate. I really only hurt myself in those situations when you can’t execute. They took advantage of them."
The Guardians hit the road as they face the Detroit Tigers starting on Friday night, with Cal Quantrill set to get the start. The Reds also start a road matchup over the weekend, starting Brandon Williamson against the St. Louis Cardinals.
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