DENVER -- It’s been an up-and-down rookie campaign for former No. 1 overall Draft pick Travis Bazzana. He enjoyed a hot start to his Major League career after being called up to make his big league debut at the end of April and was named an All-Star. But the 23-year-old second baseman began slumping at the plate in June, and he hasn’t been able to build offensive momentum since.
In Friday night’s 9-1 victory in the Guardians’ series opener against the Rockies at Coors Field, Bazzana produced his second career four-hit game (also June 20 at Houston), singling four times and driving in three runs to help Cleveland win for the third time in four games. It was also the first time the Guardians have won back-to-back games since July 20 and 21.
Bazzana delivered a two-run single in the fourth, singled and stole his 18th base of the season before scoring in the sixth, singled and scored again in the seventh and then lined an RBI single to right-center in the ninth.
The Guards got on the board with a solo home run from Petey Halpin in the third inning, then took a 3-1 lead on Bazzana’s fourth-inning single to left. Cleveland added another run in the fifth on a Jo Adell RBI single and another in the sixth when Bazzana scored on a Steven Kwan groundout to second. In the seventh, Patrick Bailey belted a three-run homer to break the game open.
The Guardians produced 14 hits, marking their 10th game this month with at least 10 hits, which is tied with the Phillies and Rays for most in the Majors.
Left-hander Joey Cantillo started for the Guardians and gave up one run on four hits with four walks and five strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings. Cleveland’s bullpen turned in a strong performance, with Tim Herrin, Colin Holderman, Craig Yoho and Matt Festa combining for 4 1/3 scoreless frames to close out the win.