Guardians seek 6th straight win in rematch vs. Royals

Companies seeking workplace efficiency tips may want to check out the Cleveland Guardians, who have become experts on the topic with their play over the past week.

Cleveland (74-70) has won five straight games heading into a matchup against the visiting Kansas City Royals on Wednesday evening in Game 3 of a four-game series.

The Guardians clinched the season series over the Royals (73-72) with a 2-0 win on Tuesday in a game that took just 1 hour and 58 minutes to complete.

One night after Slade Cecconi took a no-hit bid into the eighth inning, Joey Cantillo allowed four hits with no walks and five strikeouts over a career-best eight-plus innings on Tuesday.

"That was Pitching 101 from Joey Cantillo tonight," Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. "That was a lot of fun to watch."

Jose Ramirez homered and came within a triple of hitting for the cycle for Cleveland, which is 2 1/2 games behind the Seattle Mariners for the third and final wild-card spot in the American League.

The Royals have lost three games in a row to fall four games behind Seattle. They've scored a total of three runs during their skid.

"We've lost two games in a row before, and it's a four-game series," Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. "We have every opportunity to right the ship tomorrow. So I have no doubt these guys are going to be ready to compete."

Royals infielder Jonathan India returned from the 10-day injured list and had two hits in Tuesday's loss, while shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. went 1-for-4 after missing three games with lower back spasms.

Kansas City will look to regroup against Cleveland left-hander Logan Allen (7-11, 4.46 ERA) on Wednesday.

Allen's winless drought continued last Thursday, when he gave up four runs (three earned) over five-plus innings in a no-decision against the Tampa Bay Rays. Cleveland lost 4-2.

The 27-year-old Allen is seeking his first victory since July 29, when he allowed two runs over seven frames in a 10-4 win over the Colorado Rockies.

Witt is 7-for-12 (.583) with two doubles against Allen, who is 0-4 with a 6.26 ERA in five career starts vs. Kansas City.

Kansas City will use right-hander Jonathan Bowlan (1-2, 3.57 ERA) as the opener after scheduled starter Michael Wacha was placed on the seven-day concussion list Tuesday.

"(Wacha) had an off-field accident that resulted in a concussion," Quatraro said. "Nothing overly serious, we don't think. But it's something that's going to keep him from pitching a minimum of seven days."

Bowlan, 28, is set to make his first start of the season. He has not allowed a run in his last eight relief appearances covering 10 2/3 innings.

He has a 5.40 ERA without a decision in two career encounters vs. Cleveland. He will face a Guardians lineup that has received a boost from infielder Brayan Rocchio, who rejoined the team on July 1 after being optioned to the minors on May 12.

Rocchio is batting .273 (44-for-161) with three homers and 28 RBIs since the All-Star break.

"When I was up here the first time, I was trying to get five hits in every at-bat and play at a superstar level on defense," Rocchio said. "I realized I had to tone it down, adjust and simplify what I wanted to do on the field."