Cleveland wraps up the preseason with a tight win at Chase Field

By Jeff Demers | Sports Media X

The Cleveland Guardians closed out Spring Training with a narrow 3-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in front of 15,218 fans at Chase Field. The final tune-up before Opening Day delivered timely hits, defensive gems, and a glimpse at some rising talent from both sides.

Game Recap: Inning by Inning
Top 1st:
Steven Kwan and Lane Thomas were quickly retired by Diamondbacks starter Brandon Bielak. But Kyle Manzardo changed that, launching his fourth home run of the Spring on a 2-0 pitch, giving Cleveland the early 1-0 edge.

Bottom 1st:
Ketel Marte grounded out, but Arizona strung together three straight singles by Carroll, Gurriel Jr., and Josh Naylor — the latter driving in Carroll to tie it at 1-1. Eugenio Suarez struck out, and Jake McCarthy grounded out to strand two.

Top 2nd:
Cleveland went quietly with three consecutive outs, including groundouts by Arias and Schneemann.

Bottom 2nd:
Alek Thomas grounded out, and Jose Herrera drew a walk. A fielder’s choice by Perdomo erased Herrera, and Andy Weber — pinch-running — stole second. Garrett Hampson grounded out to end the frame.

Top 3rd:
Hedges struck out, Rocchio flew out, and Kwan watched strike three go by — two Ks for Bielak that inning.

Bottom 3rd:
Druw Jones tripled and was driven in by a Pavin Smith sac fly, giving Arizona a 2-1 lead. Naylor and Groover were retired to end the inning.

Top 4th:
Kahlil Watson doubled and advanced to third on a Chourio groundout. Jhonkensy Noel brought him in with a sacrifice fly to tie it at 2-2.

Shelby Miller relieved Bielak and gave up a single to Nolan Jones, who later stole second, but Cleveland couldn’t capitalize.

Bottom 4th:
Herrera walked again, Weber singled, but Hampson flied out to center, stranding two.

Top 5th:
Travis Bazzana singled and stole second, but was left there after Hedges fouled out and Devers and Collado went down.

Bottom 5th:
Paul Sewald struck out two in a clean inning for the Guardians.

Top 6th:
Kyle Nelson struck out Watson, gave up a single to Chourio, then got two foul outs to end the threat.

Bottom 6th:
Tristan McKenzie entered and worked around a walk to retire the side.

Top 7th:
Backhus retired the Guardians 1-2-3 in his lone inning of work.

Bottom 7th:
Joey Cantillo pitched a scoreless frame with help from a key double play after an error.

Top 8th:
Kyle Amendt made quick work of the Guardians, striking out two.

Bottom 8th:
Alan Hernandez walked Drake Osborn, who later stole second, but Fernandez, Groover, and Waltschmidt couldn’t bring him in.

Top 9th:
With two outs, Jorge Burgos doubled, and Will Wilson followed with an RBI double down the left-field line to give Cleveland a 3-2 lead.

Bottom 9th:
Jack Jasiak closed it out for the Guardians, retiring all three batters to secure the save and the Spring Training finale win.

Final Score: Guardians 3, Diamondbacks 2
Winning Pitcher: Alan Hernandez (CLE)
Losing Pitcher: J.P. Feyereisen (ARI)
Save: Jack Jasiak (CLE)
Attendance: 15,218

What’s Next
​The Arizona Diamondbacks now turn their focus to Opening Day, set for Thursday night at Chase Field, where they’ll host the Chicago Cubs. The Guardians, meanwhile, leave Arizona with momentum and plenty of positive takeaways from their young talent heading into the regular season.