The Cleveland Guardians were able to avoid being swept by the Chicago White Sox as the good guys took the series finale on Thursday afternoon.
It was a tooth and nail fight the entire game with just four total runs being scored in the nine innings. Cleveland was able to scrape by with a 3-1 victory. With the score being so close, every base runner mattered for each team.
The White Sox realized this and didn't hesitate to send their runners on the base path trying to get the upper hand any way they could. Chicago had found a lot of success running on the Guardians in the previous two games. The Sox stole three bases alone in game two highlighting one of Cleveland's weaknesses.
Chicago tried to continue this success, but starting catcher Cam Gallagher had a different plan in mind.
Tim Anderson and Jake Burger both tested their luck against Gallagher's arm but were unsuccessful in each attempt. Both White Sox were thrown out making others hesitant to try running on Cam again.
Tom Hamilton of the Guardians Radio Network mentioned that this is the first time all season that a Cleveland catcher has thrown out two runners stealing the entire season. It's been a rough showing for the catching combination of Gallagher and Mike Zunino, but this was a welcome sight.
Gallagher also delivered at the plate too. Starting catchers haven't recorded a hit in the month of May, but Cam broke that streak at the perfect time.
The Guardians had runners at first and third in the seventh inning and Gallagher punched one through the left side of the infield. This scored Gabriel Arias and gave Cleveland a crucial two-run lead.
Cleveland has clearly needed more from their catchers this season, but credit also needs to be given where it's due. Gallagher had a nice game and hopefully, this can carry over to his next start.
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