2024 Guardians Spring Training Players Of The Game: Game 2
The Cleveland Guardians earned their first 2024 Cactus League win with an 8-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Sunday afternoon.
With 90 players representing the Guardians during spring training (40-man roster, 22 non-roster invitees, and 28 depth camp players), each game’s roster will vary.
Based on Cleveland’s roster for Sunday’s game and their performances in the contest, here are four Players of the Game.
Austin Hedges, C
The veteran catcher contributed to a stretch of three consecutive Guardians hits to begin the top of the fourth inning.
After a Will Brennan game-tying solo home run and Gabriel Arias double, Hedges gave Cleveland its first lead with a two-run home run, which made it a 3-1 game.
In addition to this impactful swing, he also caught a Mariners runner stealing second base in the following half-inning.
Oct 15, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges (17) reacts after hitting a single against the New York Yankees in the second inning during game three of the NLDS for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Progressive Field.
© Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Angel Martínez, SS
The Guardians’ sixth-ranked prospect according to Baseball America put an exclamation point on a two-out rally in the top of the seventh inning.
With the game tied at 3-3, an RBI single from Daniel Schneemann and a two-run single from Johnathan Rodríguez in consecutive at-bats gave Cleveland a 6-3 lead.
Finally, in the ensuing at-bat, Martínez hit a two-run home run to extend the Guardians’ lead to 8-3.
Eli Morgan, RHP
After making a career-high 61 relief appearances for Cleveland last season, Morgan excelled in his first one this spring.
The 27-year-old pitched a perfect sixth inning, striking out the first two hitters he faced and earning the victory.
Scott Barlow, RHP
After being acquired earlier this offseason, Barlow had an efficient first relief appearance for the Guardians.
The 31-year-old pitched a perfect third inning, striking out the final two hitters he faced.
Up next, Cleveland will face the San Diego Padres on Monday afternoon at 3:10 p.m. EST.
