Triston McKenzie struck out 10 Twins in his return to the mound on Sunday, the 25th time in franchise history a pitcher has recorded 10 or more strikeouts in his season debut.
It’s the second time McKenzie has joined the list, as he also struck out 10 in his MLB debut in 2020.
Logan Allen has 33 strikeouts through his first six career games, while Tanner Bibee has 34. The era in which which we’re in is a big factor here, but those are the sixth and seventh most strikeouts through six games in franchise history.
The list:
Cleveland lost 2-1 in extra innings to the Cardinals on Saturday, despite Guardians pitchers allowing just two hits and striking out 12.
It was just the fourth time in franchise history they lost despite recording six times as many strikeouts as hits allowed. The list:
The 1987 loss occurred despite Candiotti getting within four outs of a no-hitter. However, even in the 8th inning he was already trailing 1-0, before a walk, error and the lone hit allowed a second run to score. Earlier in the game a walk, error, sac bunt and fielders choice allowed a run.
In 1969, Paul allowed three runs on one hit due to two walks preceding a double with the runner advancing to third on the throw home, followed by a sacrifice fly.
And the 1915 loss may be the strangest of all. The first batter reached on an error by pitcher Hagerman, advancing to second on the throwing error, then to third on a fielders choice. The next batter, Clyde Milan, then hit into a fielders choice with runner on third getting thrown out at home – but the rundown was so chaotic, Milan was able to advance to third. During the next at-bat, Milan stole home.
Hagerman ended up tossing a complete-game one-hitter with that being the only run to score, but Bert Gallia tossed a shutout for the Senators.
James Karinchack entered last night’s game in the seventh inning with a 7-3 lead, but the bases were loaded and Pete Alonso at the plate. Karinchack promptly surrendered a game-tying grand slam.
It was the seventh time in franchise history Cleveland allowed a game-tying grand slam in the seventh inning or later. The others:
The Tingley grand slam off Mesa stands out as the most shocking on the list. Tingley was a journeyman backup catcher who hit 10 career home runs, the first of which came a member of the Indians in 1988.
In his first start of the year, Zach Plesac was knocked out after just one inning against the Athletics, giving up six runs on seven hits.
It was the earliest in the year a Cleveland starter was removed after just one inning of work since 2009, when Carl Pavano last one inning against the Rangers in the fourth game of the season.
Mike Zunino collected two doubles and a home run in Sunday’s win over the Mariners. It was just the 32nd time in franchise history a catcher produced three extra-base hits.
Prior to Zunino, it hadn’t been done since Carlos Santana in 2013 at Tampa Bay.
Only two catchers have ever produced more than three:
Cleveland won 2-0 against the Mariners on Saturday night off solo home runs by Andres Gimenez and Josh Naylor.
It’s the first time the team has won a game with its only scoring coming on two or more solo home runs since a Jake Bauers and Leonys Martin homered off Gerrit Cole in 2019 for a 2-1 victory over the Astros.
In the third game of the season, Aaron Civale and the Guardians shut out the Mariners 2-0, avenging the 3-0 loss on Opening Day.
It’s just the sixth time in franchise history they have been shut out and pitched a shutout within the first three games of the season.
The others:
In 1992, the opening series at Camden Series, all three games were shutouts. Rick Sutcliffe shut out the Tribe on Opening Day, Dave Otto and Rod Nichols combined on a shutout of the O’s and Ben McDonald wrapped up the series with another shutout.
Steven Kwan went 2-4 with 5 RBI against the Mariners on Friday night. It was his second career 5-RBI game, making him the fourth player in franchise history with multiple 5-RBI games from the leadoff spot.
The others:
The feat has been accomplished 21 times in franchise history. A few other notables: Cesar Hernandez, Jordan Luplow, Francisco Lindor, Coco Crisp and Dale Mitchell.
Will Brennan, starting in right field, is the sixth rookie to start on Opening Day dating back to 2000, joining: