Guardians rally for three runs in the 10th to beat Royals, 7-4, in season opener

Updated: Mar. 27, 2025, 7:05 p.m.|Published: Mar. 27, 2025, 6:54 p.m.

KANSAS CITY — The Guardians needed extra innings to win the season opener against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium.

After closer Emmanuel Clase turned a 4-3 lead in the ninth into a 4-4 tie, Steven Kwan and Kyle Manzardo came through with big hits in the 10th for a 7-4 win in front of a sellout crowd.

Kwan doubled home automatic runner Brayan Rocchio from second base to break a 4-4 tie. Manzardo capped a big day with a two-run double to right. Manzardo, a single short of the cycle, tripled in the fourth and homered in the sixth.

Newcomer Paul Sewald retired the Royals in order in the 10th for the save.

For much of the game the Guardians’ tried and true formula from 2024 was unfolding perfectly.

Ben Lively turned in five innings in an emergency start for ailing Tanner Bibee. Manzardo’s two-run homer in the sixth gave them a 4-3 lead and relievers Cade Smith and Tim Herrin retired the side in order in the sixth and seventh innings.

Things took a turn for the worse in the eighth, but it was nothing that a 5-2-5-4-6 double play couldn’t cure as Hunter Gaddis escaped trouble.

Then the real problem arose. Clase, almost perfect during last year’s regular season, failed to protect a one-run lead in the ninth as the Royals tied the score on a sacrifice fly by Michael Massey.

After Smith and Herrin did what they did so many times last year, Gaddis, the third of four pillars in Cleveland’s bullpen, started the eighth by walking Cavan Biggio. Pinch runner Dairo Blanco stole second and Gaddis mishandled a bunt by Kyle Isbel to put runners at first and third with no outs.

Jonathan India sent a grounder to Jose Ramirez, who threw home to catch Blanco in a rundown. After Ramirez tagged Blanco, he caught Isbel in a rundown between second and third when he was eventually tagged out by Rocchio.

Gaddis ended the inning by striking out Bobby Witt Jr.

Manzardo’s two-run homer, a drive off Angel Zerpa, gave the Guardians their first lead of the season.

Zerpa relieved Cole Ragans and Manzardo sent his first pitch, a 97 mph fastball, 424 feet over the fence in center field for Cleveland’s first lead of the season.

Vinnie Pasquantino, questionable for the season opener because of a strained right hamstring, gave the Royals the early lead with a three-run homer in the third. Lively retired Biggio to start the inning, but Isbel doubled to the gap in left center. Kwan dove and put a glove on the ball, but couldn’t hold it.

India popped out to catcher Bo Naylor in front of the plate as Carlos Santana, sprinting in from first, collided with him. Santana, who appeared to hit the back of Naylor’s head, stayed in the game after having his mouth and chin checked by trainers.

Witt, who hit .347 against Cleveland last year, beat out a single to the hole at short despite a strong throw from Rocchio. Witt, with Isbel on third, stole second with Pasquantino at the plate.

Pasquantino turned it into a 3-0 lead when he sent Lively’s 1-1 curveball over the fence in right field. Lively, visibly upset with the mistake pitch, struck out Salvador Perez to end the inning.

The Guardians crept back into the game at 3-2 on sacrifice flies by Jhonkensy Noel and Ramirez.

Manzardo tripled into the right field corner with one out in the fourth. Noel scored him with a fly ball in foul territory down the right field line that Hunter Renfroe caught.

Gabriel Arias doubled and Rocchio walked to start the fifth. Kwan advanced them with a sacrifice bunt to third. Ramirez delivered Arias to make it 3-2 with a sacrifice fly to right as Rocchio took third. A ground out by Lane Thomas ended the inning.

Lively allowed three runs on four hits over five innings. He struck out three and didn’t walk a batter.

Ragans allowed three runs on five hits in five innings. He struck out three and walked two.

Next: The Guardians are off on Friday before resuming this three-game series on Saturday at Kauffman Stadium.

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CONDENSED GAME

https://www.mlb.com/video/condensed-gam ... nsed-games


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I am familiar with the rule; some exception must have applied. Anyway JRod is around for awhile and perhaps can make a case for himself

Nolan Jones in RF and batting 5th.
The Guardians gave him very little opportunity to prove his major league ability before he went to Coloardo; only 94 plate appearances in 2022. In all of his starts he batted 6th or 7th. 31 strikeouts and 8 walks did not fit the Cleveland profile. Since then he had a great year; a bad year; and now he's back for a 2nd Cleveland chance

Geesh! Earlier this spring when I was expressing my concerns with the offense, particularly the lower half of the lineup, I mentioned what would happen if Ramirez is injured? Last year, they were able to pull it off. Many players stepped up, but at least Ramirez was always around. Well, if this will be an extended visit to the DL, this could be problematic. No one will replace Ramirez. They say that sprains can be worse than breaks. What next? Have to stay competitive till at least June.

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Stephen Vogt Provides Update On Injured Guardians Star

March 30, 2025

By Andres Chavez

People in Cleveland have been closely paying attention to Jose Ramirez’s health in the last few hours.

The Cleveland Guardians superstar sprained his right wrist on a play on Saturday against the Kansas City Royals and had to be removed from the game.

Almost immediately after the game, Guardians manager Stephen Vogt provided an update on the Dominican third baseman and perennial MVP candidate.

“Stephen Vogt: “He’s day-to-day. … We’re going to see how he feels in the morning. It’s early in the year. But I think I’m gonna have to hold him down to keep him out of there,” team insider Zack Meisel posted on X.

Ramirez is one of the toughest players out there.

He constantly plays through injuries and rarely loses effectiveness.

This one, however, is likely to keep him out for at least a couple of days, even if it doesn’t seem that serious.

Ramirez won’t like it, as he doesn’t want to miss a single game.

But he will have to be on board for the sake of the squad.

Cleveland wouldn’t want to send an injured player to the field and we are sure he will understand that.

That last part of Vogt’s quote is what makes Ramirez so special, though.

A true warrior who gives everything he has all the time, Ramirez hates losing time due to injury.

He has played at least 150 games in seven of his last nine campaigns as a major leaguer, and one of them was the pandemic season, where he suited up for 58 of 60 games.

J-Ram was still looking for his first hit of the young season before being removed on Saturday.

Last year, he posted a brilliant .872 OPS with 39 round-trippers, 41 stolen bases, 114 runs, and 118 RBI.

The hope is that he can be back very soon, but he might be forced to sit a couple of games.

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LINEUP - BIBEE PITCHING TODAY

https://www.mlb.com/gameday/guardians-v ... 10/preview

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Trouble scoring runs. Wacha up to 80 pitches in 4 innings. Rocchio saved a run with a super play behind second. 1-0 guardians mid 4. Bibee looks good. Just not hitting with runners on.

Manzardo 2-run homer. I don't remember who wrote that Manzardo will outhomer Ramirez this year, but he may not be wrong. Manzardo with his 2nd in 3 days. Guards 3-0. Manzardo in a zone right now.

Arias opposite field homer.4-0

Another run in on a fielder's choice. 5-0. Bibee has retired 13 in a row before issuing a 2 out walk to Witt. Herron in relief with Witt on first hits Pasquitino. Perez flies out. Guards heading to the 7th with that 5-0 lead.

Schneemann homers 6-0. Cantillo give 2 back in an inning of work. 4 hits 1 walk 2 runs. 6-2. Top of 9.

Final 6-2.

I hope some day Vogt is willing to let a starter continue with a 6 run lead in the 6th inning after issuing one walk. I'll give him a pass today MAYBE since we'll assume Bibee is still slightly under the weather and it's his first start, but he can last more than 84 pitches. Besides risking wearing out the bullpen he's going to have to rely on Cantillo and McKenzie and we have no idea if they can be effective relievers.
Williams is a big strong guy and he can certainly throw 100 ptiches regularly; he'll just have to make sure he NEVER issues a walk after the 5th inning which is mandatory removal time.

Cantillo had one good inning. And one mess and was left in long enough to allow one run and load the bases with none out [1 error and the rest was his doing]
Gaddis with the rescue.
Clase not sharp but finished up scoreless.

Nolan Jones must be among major league leaders in Not Swinging Pct. I am sure someone keeps track of that. If I counted up correctly, 21 pitches were delivered to him today and he swung at 4. Mr. Passive drew a couple walks so it's not a totally futile strategy.