Starting Lineups:

Baltimore (9-9):

1) Taylor Ward (R) LF

2) Gunnar Henderson (L) DH

3) Pete Alonso (R) 1B

4) Johnathan Rodríguez (R) RF

5) Samuel Basallo (L) C

6) Jeremiah Jackson (R) 2B

7) Coby Mayo (R) 3B

8) Leody Taveras (S) CF

9) Blaze Alexander (R) SS

Starting Pitcher: RHP Shane Baz (0-1, 4.50 ERA)

Cleveland Guardians (10-9):

1) Steven Kwan (L) CF

2) Chase DeLauter (L) DH

3) José Ramírez (S) 3B

4) Kyle Manzardo (L) 1B

5) George Valera (L) RF

6) Ángel Martínez (S) LF

7) Juan Brito (S) 2B

8) Austin Hedges (R) C

9) Brayan Rocchio (S) SS

Starting Pitcher: LHP Parker Messick (2-0, 0.51 ERA)

Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH — In the series opener of four games between the Baltimore Orioles and the Cleveland Guardians, the Guardians took down the Orioles 4-2.

Starter Parker Messick would pitch a gem for the Guardians — tossing 8 innings, striking out 9, and giving up two runs, while carrying a no-hitter into the 9th inning before Leody Tavares collected a base hit.

Messick would be pulled in the ninth after giving up two base straight hits. Both of the runners would come around to score for the Orioles.

Cleveland would score right away. In the bottom of the first, Chase DeLauter drew a walk — and a batter later, Jose Ramirez teed off on a first-pitch fastball for a homer to center field to put the Guardians ahead, 2-0.

The Guardians would score again in the bottom of the fifth. After a double was hit by Brayan Rocchio on a freak ground ball to second base, Steven Kwan would pick him up with an RBI single, making it 3-0, Cleveland.

Cleveland would score again in the bottom of the sixth. Ramirez drew a lead-off walk, and a batter later, Kyle Manzardo followed up with a base hit to put runners on the corners with no one out. George Valera would plate Ramirez with an RBI single to left field, putting the Guardians up 4-0.

Following three base hits in the ninth, the O’s would load the bases for Gunnar Henderson, who hit an RBI sac-fly to cut into Cleveland’s lead 4-1. Pete Alonso would follow up with an RBI double, making it 4-2 Cleveland.

Jose Ramirez photo courtesy of Sports Illustrated

The Good: Messick was outstanding — he pitched 8 hitless innings, before the O’s got a base hit in the top of the ninth.

The Bad/The Ugly: The O’s offense was dormant until the top of the ninth inning, as they were outmatched but managed to get on the board with three straight singles and an RBI sac fly and an RBI double.

The Guardians and the Orioles square off again tomorrow night, with first pitch at 6:10 PM.

-Matt Koper

Founder of Koper’s Korner