Cecconi finds trove in offspeed stuff as Guardians split series with Royals

KANSAS CITY -- There was never any question about Slade Cecconi's fastball repertoire. The mission for the Guardians’ right-hander on Thursday was to be more precise with his secondary pitches.

“I think that getting those shapes right with the offspeeds is going to help him,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said in his pregame visit with the media.

Indeed, Cecconi took a step in the right direction with that directive. With Cecconi delivering 5 ⅓ innings of two-run ball and the Cleveland offense showing some early juice, the Guardians came away with an 8-5 victory over the Royals and a split of the four-game series.

Kansas City put the leadoff man on in four of the first five innings, but Cecconi was able to navigate through some traffic. Meanwhile, the Guardians rang up five hits among their first six batters, with the highlight being Kyle Manzardo’s two-run double off Royals starter Seth Lugo. Staked to a 3-0 lead in the first, Cecconi held steady after starting the day with a 6.56 earned run average.

After losing the opening two games of the series, the Guardians had to win the last two games to avoid dropping their first series to an American League Central opponent since July 26-27 last year, when they dropped two of three at Kansas City.

Cleveland was able to get that done while finishing its seven-game road trip at 4-3.