Guardians score, recap vs Royals | Slade Cecconi takes no-hitter into 8th, Guardians beat K.C.

CLEVELAND — The race is on.

With 20 games remaining, the Guardians (72-70) entered Sept. 8 2.5 games out of the final wild card spot, currently held by the Seattle Mariners (75-68). The Texas Rangers (74-70) and Kansas City Royals (73-70) are both in the mix as well, creating a tight, four-team race.

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It makes the Guardians-Royals four-game series that begins Sept. 8 crucial for both teams. It’s possible only one makes it out of the series alive in the wild card race.

The term “must-win” is an over-used term in sports, but for two teams on the outside looking in, this series represents a crucial stretch in the season.

Star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. is not in Monday’s starting lineup for the Royals.

Follow along here for live score updates, analysis and highlights from the Sept. 8 Guardians-Royals game.

Slade Cecconi dazzles, Guardians beat Royals

Slade Cecconi finished with eight one-hit innings along with three strikeouts and three walks, and the Guardians beat the Royals 10-2. It’s a key win in Cleveland’s chase for a playoff spot, and it was a tremendous time for Cecconi to put together his best outing of the season.

Slade Cecconi loses no-hit bid in 8th inning

The wait for Cleveland’s first no-hitter since 1981 will continue at least another night.

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Leading off the top of the eighth inning, Michael Massey singled to left-center field to record the Royals’ first hit of the night.

Cecconi received a standing ovation both after the hit and as he walked off the mound after the eighth inning, which included a double play.

Gabriel Arias removed from game with wrist injury

Gabriel Arias has exited the game for precautionary reasons due to right wrist inflammation.

The Guardians, meanwhile, have pushed their lead out to a 10-0 advantage. With two runners on, a Steven Kwan groundout pushed home their 10th run of the night.

Slade Cecconi no-hitter secure through 7 innings

Slade Cecconi is six outs away from the first no-hitter in Cleveland franchise history since 1981. He had an efficient seventh inning, too, needing only 10 pitches to get through it. He’s at 91 pitches tonight.

When was the last no-hitter for the Cleveland Guardians?

The last no-hitter in Cleveland franchise history was Len Barker’s perfect game on May 15, 1981.

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Several pitchers have some painfully close, a list that includes Carlos Carrasco and, this year, Gavin Williams, who took a no-hitter into the ninth inning.

Slade Cecconi through 6th inning with no hitter

Slade Cecconi is nine outs away from a no-hitter, but his pitch count is becoming an issue.

Cecconi is through the sixth inning without allowing a hit, and his pitch count has reached 81. He’s walked three and struck out three.

Brayan Rocchio has made a couple of nice plays at second base tonight to help him, including a sliding stop to turn a would-be hit into a fielder’s choice at second base following one of the three walks.

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He can also cruise, as the Guardians offense has built a 9-0 lead.

Guardians rally for 6-run 4th inning

The Guardians are roughing up Ryan Bergert. It hasn’t been a nice homecoming.

Cleveland has batted around in the fourth inning, putting up six runs with still only one out recorded in the inning. A Nolan Jones two-run double to the left-center gap, which made it 8-0 Guardians, ended Bergert’s day.

In this fourth inning alone, C.J. Kayfus, Brayan Rocchio and Daniel Schneemann all have RBI doubles, Jones has a two-run double and Kyle Manzardo has an RBI single.

The Guardians are up 8-0 heading to the fifth inning, with Slade Cecconi still not allowing a hit.

Slade Cecconi no-hit bid; Royals are hitless through 4 innings

Guardians starter Slade Cecconi is through the first four innings without allowing a hit, holding the Royals to two base runners via a pair of walks while striking out three.

Guardians extend lead vs Ryan Bergert, Royals

After Brayan Rocchio and Steven Kwan opened the third inning with singles, Bergert received some help from center fielder Kyle Isbel, who caught a flyout off the bat of Daniel Schneemann and threw out Rocchio, who was trying to advance to third base.

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With two outs and Kwan now on second base, Jose Ramirez lined an RBI single to right field, giving the Guardians a 2-0 lead.

Guardians, Royals score: Cleveland takes early lead against Kansas City starter, GlenOak grad Ryan Bergert

Ryan Bergert played his high school ball at GlenOak. Tonight, he’s pitching about an hour up I-77 in Cleveland, and in front of a few more people.

The Guardians started the homecoming on a poor note in the first inning though, as Cleveland took a 1-0 lead on Kyle Manzardo’s RBI double to right field, which scored Daniel Schneemann after he singled with one out.

Below is some pregame information.

Guardians lineup vs Royals

Steven Kwan, LFDaniel Schneemann, CFJose Ramirez, 3BKyle Manzardo, DHNolan Jones, RFBo Naylor, CGabriel Arias, SSC.J. Kayfus, 1BBrayan Rocchio, 2B

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Guardians schedule, upcoming games

The Guardians begin a key four-game series at Progressive Field against the Royals Sept. 8. The Chicago White Sox then come to Cleveland for weekend series. After a day off, the Guardians then go on the road to face the Detroit Tigers.

How can I watch, stream or listen to the Guardians vs Royals game?

The game on Sept. 8 can be viewed locally on AT&T U-verse (channel 1736), COX (channel 80), DIRECTV Satellite and Streaming (channel 662), FuboTV and Spectrum (channel 1306). It can also be streamed via MLB’s direct-to-consumer streaming subscription (CLEGuardians.TV). And it’ll be available on the radio via WTAM 1100, WMMS 100.7 and WARF 1350.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Guardians score vs Kansas City Royals game updates, highlights