CLEVELAND, Ohio — Whether you call it a “pickle” or a “hotbox” or a “goose chase,” the rundown is a situation in baseball that can lead to an easy out or two if a team executes on defense.
And the Guardians were all about the execution in Thursday’s 7-4 opening day win against Kansas City.
Cleveland was clinging to a one-run lead with runners on the corners and nobody out in the eighth inning. Hunter Gaddis delivered a 2-2 slider that Jonathan India slashed sharply on two hops toward José Ramírez at third base.
Ramírez came up firing to the plate, and catcher Bo Naylor ran speedy Darion Blanco back toward the bag before flipping back to Ramírez for the tag. But the play was not over, as Kyle Isbel rounded second base a little too aggressively and Ramírez alertly ran toward him, firing to Gabriel Arias to ignite another rundown.
Arias forced Isbel toward third before throwing to Brayan Rocchio, who ran the Royals center fielder back toward second before applying the tag for out number two. India advanced to second, stepping on the bag as soon as Rocchio tagged Isbel.
But Gaddis was able to gather his composure and strike out Bobby Witt Jr. for the final out of the inning, preserving a one-run Guardians lead.
The play halted Kansas City’s momentum and diffused the Royals’ best scoring opportunity in four innings. Gaddis said the idea of a double play was definitely on his mind with India at the plate.
“Not exactly that way, but it was real big just to get out of there with no runs, even though it wasn’t super clean,” Gaddis said. “But it worked out for today.”
Score it 5-2-5-4-6, a double play that instead gave the Guardians a chanced to catch their breath before K.C. tied the score in the ninth and Cleveland won it in the 10th.
Manager Stephen Vogt said coming out of spring training the Guardians had been working on those exact type of plays every day.
“José ran it to perfection, and Rocchio did as well,” Vogt said. “That was well executed. Two rundowns in one play and we’re always looking for the backside runner.”
Vogt credited infield coaches Kai Correa and Rouglas Odor for making sure Cleveland’s defense is prepared every day, and for the relentless nature of the infielders.
“We don’t quit until the play is completely over,” Vogt said. “Josey’s such a heads-up baseball player on all sides of the game. That was a huge moment, and Hunter beared down and got a ground ball and got out of the inning. It was incredible.”
It served as reminder that the formula for “Guards Ball” includes a defensive component as well. Cleveland’s mix of timely hitting, bullpen magic and chaos on bases needs solid defensive play in order to work. Starting pitcher Ben Lively said it is part of the team’s identity.
“We execute what we need to,” Lively said. “Look at them. They didn’t execute and they messed up the whole game for ‘em. That’s why we win.”
Brayan Rocchio of the Cleveland Guardians tags out Kyle Isbel of the Kansas City Royals in the eighth inning on Thursday.MLB Photos via Getty ImagesBreakfast and trivia
In honor of Kansas City’s baserunning blunder, let’s try something unusual for breakfast. How about a bagel with dill pickle cream cheese and some homemade hashbrowns with sweet pickle relish? While you’re chewing on that, here’s some trivia:
The Guardians started Jhonkensy Noel in right field Thursday. He became the 14th different right fielder to start on opening day since 2012. But that is just the second-longest streak of starting a season with a different player at any one particular position with no repeaters. Which team has the longest current streak?
Next
Friday: The Guardians and Royals are off today.
Saturday: Guardians vs. Royals at Kauffman Stadium at 4:10 p.m. EDT. TBD vs. RHP Seth Lugo. CleGuardians.TV, WTAM/1100 AM, WMMS/100.7 FM, Guardians Radio Network.
Guardians’ 2025 regular-season schedule
Sunday: Guardians vs. Royals at Kauffman Stadium at 2:10 p.m. EDT. TBD vs. RHP Michael Wacha. CleGuardians.TV, WTAM/1100 AM, Guardians Radio Network.
Monday: Guardians vs. Padres at PetCo Park, 9:40 p.m. TBD vs. TBD. CleGuardians.TV, WTAM/1100 AM, WMMS/100.7 FM, Guardians Radio Network.
Trivia answer
The San Francisco Giants started their 19th different left fielder on Thursday in a win against Terry Francona and the Reds. Since Barry Bonds retired after the 2007 season, San Fran has had a hard time finding a steady replacement.
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