OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Bay Area native Steven Kwan homered and reached base four times, and the Cleveland Guardians had 15 hits in a 12-3 rout of the Oakland Athletics before a Saturday afternoon crowd of just 5,425.
Six Guardians stole bases off Kyle McCann, a 26-year-old catcher making his major league debut.
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Cleveland Guardians' Gabriel Arias is congratulated by teammates after scoring against the Oakland Athletics during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, March 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Cleveland Guardians' Brayan Rocchio gestures after hitting a double against the Oakland Athletics during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, March 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Cleveland Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio, left, catches a fly out hit by Oakland Athletics' Ryan Noda next to center fielder Tyler Freeman during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, March 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges, left, celebrates with pitcher Tyler Beede after the Guardians defeated the Oakland Athletics in a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, March 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Cleveland Guardians' David Fry, left, celebrates with Steven Kwan after the Guardians defeated the Oakland Athletics in a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, March 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Fans hold up a sign calling for Oakland Athletics management to sell the team during the fifth inning of a baseball game between the Athletics and the Cleveland Guardians in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, March 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Cleveland's Stephen Vogt tied Al Lopez in 1951 as the only managers to start their Cleveland careers 3-0. Oakland dropped to 0-3 for the second time in 28 years. The Guardians scored six or more runs in the first three games of the season for the fourth time in franchise history.
“Everything’s kind of clicking,” Kwan said. “We’re playing Guardians baseball, taking extra bags, stealing bases. It's been a lot of fun.”
Kwan has been able to spend time with family this weekend, including visiting his newborn nephew for the first time.
“Those are the things that let you detach from the game,” Kwan said. “Obviously, it’s a fun game, but it’s also really stressful.”
The A's, who have announced plans to move to Las Vegas for the 2028 season, have drawn 22,784 in their first three home games for an average of 7,595.
“From baserunning to defense to some walks, it kind of all adds up to a crappy day,” A's manager Mark Kotsay said.
Cleveland trailed 3-2 before scoring three runs in the fourth, two each in the fifth and sixth, and then one in the sixth to burst ahead 8-3.
“Our guys punched back every time,” Vogt said. “I thought it just showed the grit. The way that these guys have battled and the at-bats that they put together, it was great to see.”
Nick Sandlin (1-0) struck out two in a hitless fifth in relief of Tanner Bibee, who allowed three runs, six hits in four innings. Bibee matched his career high with five walks.
Cleveland's Cade Smith, a 24-year-old right-hander, pitched two hitless innings with five strikeouts and a walk in his major league debut.
Vogt praised Bibee for getting through four innings despite his command being off.
“We needed those innings out of him today, especially with the way the pen was situated going into the game," Vogt said. "And then the offense picked us up.”
JP Sears (0-1) gave up five runs and six hits in 3 2/3 innings. Sears went 5-14 last year as the A's finished a major league-worst 50-112.
Gabriel Arias hit a tying single and Austin Hedges followed with a sacrifice fly in the go-ahead fourth.
A throwing error by Oakland shortstop Nick Allen led to a pair of unearned runs.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Guardians: RHP Ben Lively and RHP Xzavion Curry, both on the 15-day IL with a viral illness, threw bullpen sessions on Friday and are expected to go on a rehab assignment soon. ... LHP Sam Hentges (left middle finger inflammation) and RHP Gavin Williams (right elbow inflammation) are improving and will throw bullpens soon.
UP NEXT
Guardians RHP Carlos Carrasco (3-6, 6.80 ERA in 2023) faces A’s RHP Paul Blackburn (4-7, 4.83 ERA in 2023) on Sunday.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb
Cleveland Guardians' Gabriel Arias is congratulated by teammates after scoring against the Oakland Athletics during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, March 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Cleveland Guardians' Brayan Rocchio gestures after hitting a double against the Oakland Athletics during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, March 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Cleveland Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio, left, catches a fly out hit by Oakland Athletics' Ryan Noda next to center fielder Tyler Freeman during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, March 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges, left, celebrates with pitcher Tyler Beede after the Guardians defeated the Oakland Athletics in a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, March 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Cleveland Guardians' David Fry, left, celebrates with Steven Kwan after the Guardians defeated the Oakland Athletics in a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, March 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Fans hold up a sign calling for Oakland Athletics management to sell the team during the fifth inning of a baseball game between the Athletics and the Cleveland Guardians in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, March 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
NEW YORK (AP) — Two games into this postseason, those big-money deals for Aaron Judge and Carlos Rodón haven't paid any October dividends for the New York Yankees.
Judge mustered little at the plate again Monday night and Rodón failed to last four innings in his first playoff start with New York during a 4-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals that squared their best-of-five AL Division Series at one apiece.
Game 3 is Wednesday night in Kansas City.
“If I’m not hitting 1.000, I’m not feeling good,” Judge said. "So just got to keep getting on base for the guys behind me. If they get on, I've got to drive them in.”
Given a 1-0 lead going into the fourth, Rodón immediately squandered it by serving up a leadoff homer to Salvador Perez on a 2-0 slider that left the $162 million pitcher shaking his head.
It was Perez's fourth career homer off Rodón — the All-Star catcher entered 12 for 26 (.462) with nine RBIs in their regular-season matchups.
Rodón had looked sharp early, letting loose a primal scream after striking out his first three batters on 12 pitches (10 for strikes) and later hitting 99 mph on the radar gun. But he labored through a scoreless third inning that included two hits and then never regained his footing in the fourth.
“Stuff-wise, he was excellent tonight. But then all of a sudden just a little scattered there,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.
Yuli Gurriel followed Perez's homer with a single and advanced on a wild pitch. Tommy Pham and No. 9 batter Garrett Hampson each had a run-scoring single on a two-strike slider.
And when Maikel Garcia greeted reliever Ian Hamilton with an RBI single, Rodón was charged with four runs and seven hits in 3 2/3 innings. He struck out seven and walked none.
“Obviously, I want to be better than that — especially how the first three innings went,” Rodón said. “I wouldn’t say I tired out. Just got to be better with those pitches, just more fine with them and get to better spots."
Coming off a strong regular season, Rodón was picked to pitch Game 2 with an eye toward him being fully rested for a decisive Game 5, if necessary. But his performance under the spotlight Monday inspired little confidence.
Rodón also was ineffective during two previous postseason appearances with the Chicago White Sox from 2020-21. He was 0-1 with a 13.50 ERA in one short start and a brief relief outing.
The 31-year-old Rodón went 16-9 with a 3.96 ERA over 172 innings in 32 starts this season, the second of a $162 million, six-year contract he signed with the Yankees as a free agent. He was 3-8 with a career-worst 6.85 ERA over 14 outings during a 2023 season that didn’t start until July 7 because a strained left forearm and back stiffness.
Judge went 1 for 3 with a walk and an infield single. He is 1 for 7 with four strikeouts and no RBIs in his first postseason since signing a $360 million, nine-year contract after setting an American League record with 62 home runs in 2022 and winning the AL MVP award.
New York missed the playoffs last year.
The star slugger had a couple of chances to inflict damage in the early innings. But he struck out swinging against Cole Ragans with two runners aboard and nobody out in the first, then flied out deep to right field with Gleyber Torres on first base in the third.
“I just sliced it a little bit," Judge said. "We get that one to get into the seats, man it’s a different ballgame.”
Judge topped the majors this year with 58 home runs, 144 RBIs and a 1.159 OPS, propelling the Yankees to an AL East title. He batted .322 and scored 122 runs.
But the playoffs have been a different story entirely as he chases the first World Series appearance of his illustrious career.
“You can never count him out,” teammate Juan Soto said. “He’s the greatest hitter of all-time right now. He’s just doing his thing. He struggled a little bit with the fastball today but I know he’s going to bounce back.”
In his last 12 postseason games, Judge is 6 for 43 (.140) with 19 strikeouts. He has a .208 batting average in 46 playoff games with 13 homers, 25 RBIs and 70 strikeouts.
“You’re not going to hold him down long,” Boone said. “He’s been on base three times in the first two games. It’s not that easy. It’s baseball. Hitting is a game of failure. He’s going to get more opportunities, and I’ll continue to place my bets on him.”
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
Kansas City Royals' Tommy Pham (22) scores as New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodón looks on during the fourth inning of Game 2 of the American League baseball playoff series, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodón (55) reacts after striking out the batter during the first inning of Game 2 of the American League baseball playoff series against the Kansas City Royals, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodón reacts after striking out the Kansas City Royals to end the top of the first inning of Game 2 of the American League baseball playoff series, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodón motions to the dugout after knocking down a line drive ball during the third inning of Game 2 of the American League baseball playoff series against the Kansas City Royals, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodón (55) reacts after striking out the batter during the first inning of Game 2 of the American League baseball playoff series against the Kansas City Royals, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Yankees' Aaron Judge reacts as he takes a walk against the Kansas City Royals during the fifth inning of Game 2 of the American League baseball playoff series, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodón delivers against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning of Game 2 of the American League baseball playoff series, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge takes a walk against the Kansas City Royals during the fifth inning of Game 2 of the American League baseball playoff series, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodón reacts as he walks off the field during the fourth inning of Game 2 of the American League baseball playoff series against the Kansas City Royals, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge watches his fly ball as he heads down the baseline during the third inning of Game 2 of the American League baseball playoff series against the Kansas City Royals, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodón hands the ball to manager Aaron Boone as he leaves the game during the fourth inning of Game 2 of the American League baseball playoff series against the Kansas City Royals, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge reacts after flying out against the Kansas City Royals during the third inning of Game 2 of the American League baseball playoff series, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
