Guardians lose series finale at Progressive Field, swept by Braves

CLEVELAND — Label it "The Lost Weekend." Fighting for a playoff spot, the Guardians were swept by the Atlanta Braves in the three-game series after losing 5-4 Sunday in front of 28,899 at Progressive Field. It came on a day when the first-place Detroit Tigers lost, which made the one-run defeat sting even more. Cleveland stranded 13 base runners and squandered a 4-1 lead, but there was a mind-blowing play in the eighth inning with the Guardians trailing by a run. Braves reliever Pierce Johnson walked Nolan Jones and Angel Martinez to bring All-Star Steven Kwan to the plate. Kwan had six hits in the series, by far Cleveland's most productive hitter. So what does he do? He pops up a bunt on the first pitch to third baseman Nacho Alvarez in foul territory. Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said it was strictly Kwan's call. "I trust his baseball judgment," he said. "If he feels a bunt there, I trust his decision." Third baseman Daniel Schneemann grounded to first for the second out and, after an intentional walk to designated hitter Jose Ramirez loaded the bases, first baseman Kyle Manzardo flew out to end the threat. Left-hander Logan Allen was yanked after 4 2/3 innings. He did not factor into the decision after allowing five hits, three runs (1 earned) and three walks while striking out six. Atlanta used a single by Nick Allen and two walks by Allen to load the bases in the fifth. Logan Allen induced the ground ball he needed to get out of the inning, but second baseman Martinez's throw to first pulled Manzardo off the bag for a throwing error. Nick Allen scored from third on the play, which left the Braves on the wrong end of a 4-2 count. Martinez, who played in center field on Saturday, said he's got to make a better throw and is not bothered by playing multiple positions. Right-hander Nic Enright relieved Logan Allen and didn't exactly snuff out the rally. Ozzie Albies greeted Enright with a run-scoring single to left, which narrowed Atlanta's deficit to 4-3. Both runs in the inning were unearned. "They slug top to bottom," Logan Allen said. "They play a lot better than their record shows. I was frustrated not being able to finish the fifth." "I thought he got a little tired there in the fifth," Vogt said. "The (strike) zone was a little tight today, (coupled) with them being a good offensive team." Atlanta wasn't done scoring off Enright (2-1, 2.33), as he allowed a two-run homer to left fielder Jurickson Profar in the sixth inning to take a 5-4 advantage. His seventh homer of the year traveled an estimated 339 feet and proved to be the winning runs. The Braves got on the board in the second inning. After Michael Harris reached base safely when his popup dropped in the infield just out of the reach of first baseman Manzardo, he eventually scored on a fielder's choice grounder by Nacho Alvarez. "It was right into the sun," Vogt said. "There was a miscommunication. It's a really difficult play, but a play we should be making." Cleveland rallied in the third to take a 2-1 advantage. Kwan singled and Schneemann followed with a ground-rule double. Manzardo's sacrifice fly plated its first run, as Profar dropped the fly ball for an error. Bo Naylor, who had a career-high four hits, followed with a ringing double into right field to score Schneemann for their second run of the inning. The Guardians came back with two more runs in the fourth, as Jones and Kwan scored on Schneemann's triple for a 4-1 advantage. Atlanta starter Erick Fedde left with a no-decision after four innings. He gave up six hits, four runs and three walks while striking out five. Reliever Aaron Bummer (3-2, 3.91) earned the victory. Naylor was 4-for-5 to raise his average to .184. He recently changed his hitting stance and eliminated his high leg kick in favor of a toe tap. "It's been going well so far," he said. "I'm swinging naturally like my body wants to." Naylor added Cleveland isn't ready to give up in the pennant race, even though they are 8½ games behind the Tigers in the American League Central Division. "This group, we try not to push any panic buttons," he said. Vogt said it was a frustrating weekend for everyone on the team. They travel to Arizona for a game against the Diamondbacks tonight. "We'll go get them (today)," he said. "Let's go start another streak." Contact Bob Finnan at rfinnan30@gmail.com.