Guardians blanked in San Diego, lose 5-0

This west coast trip has not started out well for the Cleveland Guardians. Following their disappointing 6-3 loss to the Padres Tuesday, things did not get any better Wednesday.

The Guardians totaled just five hits as they lost 5-0 to what is clearly a superior San Diego squad. There has not been a point yet in this seris where the Padres have appeared intimidated by what Cleveland has to offer in any way. It has been two straight games of giving up early leads to San Diego without much of anything positive to point towards offensively.

Wednesday's performance at the plate was nothing special for Cleveland. Managing only five hits and two walks, the Guardians had few opportunities to do any damage. When presented with their lone at-bat with runners in scoring position, Myles Straw stayed in the game to bat with two outs in the 7th and the bases loaded. Straw would strike out swinging as three of the four Guardians left on base in the game came in that plate appearance. If there was ever a time to lift Straw for a pinch hitter this was it and yet it did not happen.

Even with the down performances in their first two games against the Padres, it is not remotely time to go into panic mode. This is just a down stretch that is part of the ebbs and flows of the season, they happen. The Guardians are 3.5 games back of the American League Central leading Twins currently, hardly an insurmountable lead. All it takes is the fortunes of these two ballclubs to flip, like they should, and everything will be back the way it is supposed to be. With that being said, if the Guardians find themselves five or more games back, that could be the time when big changes are made and new faces pop up on the major league roster. The season is far from over, but the Guardians need to right the ship on this short west coast road trip in order to stay relveant in the division.