Guards walk off KC in cold

 The Guardians walked off the KC Royals 2-1 on a Brayan Rocchio’s single in the bottom of the ninth inning on April 7.

The game was played on a frigid afternoon with temps well below freezing. Gavin Williams started for Cleveland and allowed just one hit, a homer to rookie Carter Jensen.

Williams struck out eight and walked five.

Cleveland rookie second baseman Juan Brito had a pair of hits, including a double in his first at bat in the big league. Brito started at second base after being called up from Triple A Columbus. Brito took the place on the Cleveland roster of shortstop Gabe Arias, who was put on the injured list after suffering a hamstring injury in Monday’s loss to Kansas City.

Steven Kwan’s RBI single tied the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Only 10,328 attended the game that was moved to a 1:10 p.m. start time from 6:10 p.m. so as to be played in warmer temps.

Brito’s performance was a long-time coming. He’s been considered one of Cleveland’s top prospects. He was expected to contribute a year ago, but injuries cut short his season.

Kansas City learned first-hand why Brito was so well-thought off.

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