CLEVELAND (AP) \u2014 Slade Cecconi took a bid to end Cleveland\u2019s long no-hitter drought into the eighth inning, and the\u2026<\/p>\n
CLEVELAND (AP) \u2014 Slade Cecconi took a bid to end Cleveland\u2019s long no-hitter drought into the eighth inning, and the Guardians rolled to a 10-2 win over Kansas City on Monday night and leapfrogged the Royals in the AL wild-card race.<\/p>\n
Cecconi (6-6) was six outs from the first no-hitter in the majors this season \u2014 and Cleveland\u2019s first since Len Barker\u2019s perfect game in 1981 \u2014 when Kansas City\u2019s Michael Massey singled leading off the eighth.<\/p>\n
On Cecconi\u2019s 95th pitch, Massey lined a 2-1 fastball into left-center. The right-hander received a nice ovation from the crowd in Progressive Field before Cecconi got Carter Jensen to hit into a double play.<\/p>\n
Cleveland (73-70) won its fourth straight game and moved past the Royals (73-71) into second place in the AL Central. Cleveland entered the four-game series 2 1\/2 games behind Seattle for the third and final wild card spot.<\/p>\n
Kyle Manzardo, Daniel Schneemann and Nolan Jones had two RBIs apiece for Cleveland, which set season highs with 16 hits and seven doubles.<\/p>\n
The Guardians tagged Ryan Bergert (2-2) for four RBI doubles and six runs in the fourth inning while opening an 8-0 lead. C.J. Kayfus, Brayan Rocchio, Schneemann and Jones hit the doubles.<\/p>\n
Royals All-Star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. was not in the starting lineup for the third straight game due to back spasms. Manager Matt Quatraro said Witt ran and did some fielding before the game without any issues and was possible to see \u201cgame action.\u201d<\/p>\n
Witt didn\u2019t get in but is expected to play Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Key Moment<\/p>\n
Second baseman Rocchio made two nice defensive plays to keep Cecconi\u2019s bid intact. In the second, he made a diving stop on Salvador Perez\u2019s hard shot up the middle. Two innings later, Rocchio slid in the outfield grass to corral Kyle Isbel\u2019s grounder before flipping to second for a forceout.<\/p>\n
Key Stat<\/p>\n
Since Barker\u2019s perfecto at old Municipal Stadium, eight Cleveland pitchers have carried no-hitters into the ninth inning before their bids were ended. On Aug. 6, Gavin Williams was two outs away before allowing a homer to New York\u2019s Juan Soto.<\/p>\n
Up Next<\/p>\n
Rookie LHP Noah Cameron (7-6, 3.03 ERA) starts for the Royals against Joey Cantillo (4-3, 3.73), who makes his second career start against Kansas City.<\/p>\n
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