Bad all around day for the Guardians in series-clinching loss to Blue Jays

CLEVELAND — The third inning was unkind to Kyle Manzardo and the Guardians at Progressive Field on Thursday afternoon. The fourth was no gem, either. Manzardo booted a rare opportunity to play first base by committing three errors in a third inning that saw the Blue Jays score their first three runs and go on to beat Cleveland 6-0 to clinch the three-game series. Jose Ramirez left the game after getting hit by a pitch from Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman in the following inning to put a capper on a dismal day for the Guardians, who were shut out for the seventh time. . "That was as sloppy of an inning as we've played all year," manager Stephen Vogt said of the third. "(Manzardo) is a pro. He's a good first baseman. He just had tough inning." Manzardo's first mistake came when he charged a sacrifice bunt from Myles Straw but couldn't field it cleanly to leave the bases loaded. After Nathan Lukes delivered a two-run single off Tanner Bibee, Manzardo dropped a pick-off throw and upon retrieving the ball he threw wildly to the plate for another error, as Straw scored from third. "I feel like everyone has rough days. I've given up seven runs in an outing this year," Bibee said. "It's just one of those things where some days Manzo's gonna pick me up and some days we're all gonna pick Manzo up. "Today was just one of those days. He's in his first full year. He's gonna come back strong." Manzardo initially declined to speak to reporters after the game. Toronto put the game away with three runs in the ninth, an inning that included Cleveland's fourth error on a throw from left fielder Steven Kwan that allowed the Jays to score their final run. Ramirez remained in the game and even stole second, but did not return to the field for the fifth. X-rays performed during the game were negative. Though Blue Jays manager John Schneider said hitting Ramirez was unintentional, Gausman was likely retaliating for Bibee plunking two batters in the third, including Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who reacted angrily after getting drilled for the second straight game. Guerrero Jr. also departed with a right forearm contusion, but X-rays were negative. "He's one of the best hitters in the big leagues. I was trying to throw a sinker in, just like (Jakob) Junis was (Wednesday), and it ran in," Bibee explained. "You make $500 million dollars you're not going to be able to lean over the plate. It just is what it is. I wasn't trying to hit him." "You have to pitch guys like that inside. Every once in a while one's gonna get away," Vogt said. "We're clearly not trying to hit anybody. We don't do that." Umpires warned both benches after Ramirez was hit and Vogt had words with Schneider as he was checking on his star player. "We knew they were gonna hit Hosey," Vogt said. "We knew it was coming, which is part of the game. All I said was, 'Hit him in the hip.' Played this game a long time and I've been around this game a long time. If you're going to hit someone on purpose, you hit him in the hip, not on the arm. (Guerrero Jr.) gets hit twice in the series, you know one's coming." After the game, Ramirez said he didn't think he was hit intentionally, but Bibee disagreed. "They didn't even really try to hide it, but it's OK, it'll come back. It'll come back to them," Bibee warned. Kwan's leadoff double was Cleveland's only hit off Gausman through the first five innings, with Manzardo providing the second on a dribbler down the third-base line. That was it on the day for the Guardians, who put only one aboard on a walk over the final three innings. The Blue Jays only managed two hits over six innings off Bibee, who struck out seven. In the midst of the outing, the right-hander was forced by umpires to wash his hands. It was the first time in his career that's happened. "I'm a sweaty person. The dirt and the resin kind of builds up when it's hot," Bibee said. "I'm sweating a lot out there. My hand always gets kind of dark with all the dirt and the resin. Today, was little more than usual. "I'm not cheating, I swear." Chris Assenheimer at (440) 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him on X @CAwesomeheimer.