Cade Smith saves the day
Cade Smith entered the 8th inning last night after Tim Herrin had loaded the bases with nobody out and the Guardians up 3-0 in Detroit.
He then struck out the next three batters.
This is the second time in franchise history a pitcher has entered the game with the bases loaded and struck out the next three batters he faced.
The first was Nick Wittgren in 2021. James Karichack had loaded the bases for Wittgren, who came in and struck out the side. Unfortunately, Karinchack had already given up the go-ahead runs and the Tribe lost that one.
A handful of other others have struck out the side with the bases loaded to prevent a run from scoring, but only after loading the bases themselves.
Perhaps the most interesting case of that was Ron Law in September of 1969.
Law, a rookie reliever, loaded the bases in the 6th inning against the Yankees before recording three straight strikeouts. Law would pitch the 7th inning also, giving up two runs. And then his career was over.