The Cleveland Guardians dominated the Oakland Athletics in a 12-3 victory on Saturday afternoon in Oakland, California. Bay Area native Steven Kwan led the charge with a home run and reaching base four times, while the Guardians amassed 15 hits in total.
The game saw a historic performance from the Guardians, as they stole six bases off Kyle McCann, a catcher making his major league debut. Manager Stephen Vogt also made history by starting his Cleveland career with a 3-0 record, tying Al Lopez from 1951.
The Guardians’ offensive prowess was on full display as they outscored the A’s 26-7 in the first three games of the season, marking a plus-19 run difference that is the best in team history. Kwan, who has been a standout player for the Guardians, credited the team’s success to their cohesive play and aggressive baserunning.
Despite the loss, the A’s manager Mark Kotsay acknowledged the Guardians’ strong performance, attributing the defeat to a combination of factors including baserunning, defense, and walks.
Pitcher Nick Sandlin and rookie Cade Smith also made significant contributions to the Guardians’ victory, with Sandlin earning the win and Smith impressing in his major league debut.
The Guardians’ strong start to the season has fans excited for what’s to come, while the A’s will look to bounce back from their 0-3 start. With plans to move to Las Vegas in 2028, the A’s are facing a challenging season ahead.