Guardians eclipse White Sox in home opener

Photo by Charles Murray

Cleveland- What a special home opener for the Guardians on Monday! First on the list of festivities was a total eclipse of the ballpark. To say it was a monumental event would be an understatement. The fans and the team got to share this moment together.

Former Cleveland players Corey Kluber and Michael Brantley, who were key contributors to Cleveland’s 2016 American League Championship title, were able to partake in the Ceremonial First Pitch. Chief of Staff at NASA’s
Glenn Research Center, Ra-Deon Sledge, sang a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem.

The Guardians took the field in front of a sold-out crowd. Triston McKenzie was on the hill, working 5.2-scoreless innings with three hits, four walks and two strikeouts. McKenzie earned the win in his 2024 Progressive Field debut.

Andres Giménez recorded his fifth double of the season in the 3rd inning, tying the MLB lead in doubles. He came
around to score the game’s opening run on an error from Chicago-AL’s Braden Shewmake. Giménez has scored nine runs this season, which ties third in the American League. He would later extend the lead to 2-0 with his MLB-leading 5th hit-by-pitch of the year.

To top off the night, Jose Ramirez launched a 2-run homer -off of former Cleveland pitcher Bryan Shaw -to extend Cleveland’s lead to 4-0, his 100th home run at Progressive Field. Ramirez (174) passed Al Rosen (173) for the most home runs by a Cleveland third baseman in club history.

It was a perfect home opener. A shutout win. A solar eclipse and a Ramirez home run. This is one for the memory books.

The Guardians will host the White Sox for Game 2 of the series Tuesday with first pitch at 6:10.