Bazzana receives 1st test from leadoff spot against Phils

PHILADELPHIA -- Back in the leadoff spot, Travis Bazzana felt right at home.

Bazzana’s fast ascent in professional baseball continued on Saturday when Cleveland’s 2024 No. 1 overall Draft pick was slotted in the leadoff spot against Zack Wheeler and the Phillies in Saturday’s 3-0 loss that snapped the Guardians’ seven-game winning streak.

“I felt good,” said Bazzana, who went 1-for-4 with a double. “I was pumped. I’ve kind of led off my whole life. It was nice to get back in the leadoff spot, especially against a pitching staff that is great, in an environment like this. It was fun.”

The 23-year-old rookie is slashing .272/.385/.370 in 23 games since his promotion from Triple-A Columbus. He also had shown both solid plate discipline, drawing 13 walks in 92 plate appearances, and some pop, driving in nine runs with a pair of homers -- his first coming on May 8 -- and a double. That and his seven stolen bases profile as someone who can set the table for the Guardians and get in scoring position for No. 2 hitter José Ramírez.

“Just felt like it was a good time for Travis to get an opportunity tonight,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said prior to Saturday’s game. “Don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow. We’re trying to look to see how this group fits together the best.”

Bazzana got his first hit out of the No. 1 spot in the ninth inning off Philadelphia’s tough closer, Jhoan Duran. Leading off the frame, Bazzana looked at a 99.4 mph four-seamer for a first-pitch strike. He was sitting on the heater when Duran surprised him with an 88-mph knuckle curveball with the second pitch. But Bazzana stayed back on the pitch to drive it into right field for an extra-base hit. Duran completed a scoreless frame for his ninth save in nine opportunities, but it was a positive result for Bazzana.

“If I’m in a good position to hit the fastball, I feel like my ability to adjust is good,” he said. “I just moved really well on that pitch. It stayed up and close to me, and I was able to turn on it.”

In three at-bats against Wheeler, Philadelphia’s ace who improved to 4-0 with a 1.67 ERA by tossing six scoreless innings of two-hit ball, Bazzana grounded out once and twice popped out. He battled the tough right-hander in a six-pitch at-bat in the third.

“The fastball jumps at the top of the zone, and the other stuff is nasty,” Bazzana said. “I was seeing it well; I just didn’t flush anything against Zack tonight. He’s obviously really good.”

Cleveland got a solid starting outing from right-hander Slade Cecconi (3-5), who pitched into the sixth and was charged with three runs on six hits. Two of the runs came in the fourth inning when Philadelphia connected for three singles, two of which came on balls Cecconi said got too much of the middle of the plate.

Vogt was pleased with the performance.

“I thought Slade was really good,” Vogt said. “They got to him just enough. I thought Slade threw the ball really well.”

The Guardians just could not generate any runs off Wheeler or Philadelphia’s bullpen. They did play strong defense for the second straight night, with first baseman Kyle Manzardo diving to his left to rob Brandon Marsh of a hit in the fourth. And, just as in Friday’s game when he applied a quick tag to nab Marsh trying to steal second base, Bazzana took catcher Patrick Bailey’s throw and tagged out Bryce Harper attempting to swipe second in the seventh, a play that was overturned from a safe call to out following a Guardians challenge. Tagging, unlike leading off, is not a part of the second baseman’s game that came naturally; rather, it is something he has worked to improve.

“Funny enough, when I first got to college and even pro ball I was really poor at tagging around the base,” said Bazzana, who credited catchers Bailey and Austin Hedges for the throws. “I’ve just gotten more comfortable at getting to the front of the base and creating space for myself to tag. I think it’s just about letting the ball travel the right amount and reading the line of the throw. If you can catch it on the body, that’s going to be your best bet.”

One area where he feels at ease is right where he was on Saturday at the top of the lineup.

“I wish I could’ve made an impact earlier in the game,” Bazzana said, “but the leadoff spot was cool.”