Guardians need to put Friday's loss to Milwaukee behind them

Riding high on with four consecutive wins, the Cleveland Guardians had a chance to win their fifth straight game to make it their longest winning streak of the season. Instead, they served up a clunker.

Milwaukee came in and took care of business, winning 7-1 in a game that lost competitiveness about two-thirds of the way through the contest. The Guardians were able to keep the game close with just a one-run deficit for the first 5 innings, but the Brewers tacked on five runs in the 6th to make it a runaway.

For the second straight start it was Shane BIeber giving up a few runs before exiting a once close game. Bieber was able to rack up eight strikeouts, but unraveled in the 6th inning with three straight hits given up including a three-run homer to Willy Adames leading to his exit. It really seems like that Cleveland needs to get out in front with a semi-substantial lead for Bieber to pitch his best. The last couple outings has seen Bieber forced to walk a tightrope and it has not ended well.

Guardians hitters managed just six hits in the contest, with three of them going for extra-bases. The only hit of the extra-base variety that mattered was Jose Ramirez' solo shot in the 7th down 6-0. But even then it did not matter all that much considering the inability for anyone else to come through when it mattered.

Clevleand was 0-6 in the contest with runners in scoring position and left four men on base in the loss. Amed Rosario had the most chances, but ended up 0-2 when it was his turn in the batter's box. Josh Bell, Steven Kwan, Gabriel Arias, and Tyler Freeman were all unsuccesull in their lone attempt to drive in a runner in scoring position.

This is exactly the type of game that the Guardians must put behind them and move on from, but not forget. A loss like this is something to remember, but not dwell on. Cleveland must use this loss as a learning opportunity and grow from it. The Brewers are one of two good teams the Guardians will face before the All-Star break (the Braves being the other).

How this team responds to losing in less than stellar fashion to begin thier final home series before heading out on the road will say a ton about their resilience. All it takes is one convincing win to get this young squad back on track and they have that opportunity Saturday afternoon.