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Deadspin | Ex-Oriole Ryan O’Hearn helps Pirates finish sweep  Apr 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Pittsburgh Pirates fright fielder Ryan O’Hearn (29) celebrates his two run home run in the dugout while wearing a welders hood against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images   Braxton Ashcraft struck out a career-high eight and Ryan O’Hearn drove in four runs to lead the host Pittsburgh Pirates to an 8-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday afternoon.  O’Hearn and Oneil Cruz each hit two-run home runs to help the Pirates complete a three-game sweep of the Orioles, and win their fifth in a row. Pittsburgh did not sweep a series last season until June.  Ashcraft (1-1) gave up one run on an RBI double by Pete Alonso in the fourth inning, which put the Orioles on the board. But Ashcraft limited the damage, eventually tossing six innings without a walk. He allowed only four hits.  Taylor Ward led the Orioles at the plate with three hits.  Pirates pitchers struck out 14 overall without a walk.  Meanwhile, O’Hearn torched his former club at the plate, starting with a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the first off Baltimore starter Chris Bassitt (0-2). Pittsburgh followed with four more runs in the second.   Cruz finished with two hits and three RBIs and started the scoring in that frame with an RBI single when he lined a 112-mph hit on one hop off Bassitt’s leg. Bassitt shook it off and remained in the game. He later allowed a two-run double to O’Hearn that scored Cruz and Brandon Lowe.  Bassitt lasted just two innings and allowed six runs on six hits and two walks without a strikeout.   Lefty Cade Povich, who was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, replaced Bassitt in the third and delivered a solid 5 2/3 innings in relief, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out two. Cruz tagged Povich for a two-run home run – his fourth – in the bottom of the sixth to extend Pittsburgh’s lead to 8-1.   Orioles manager Craig Albernaz was ejected in the top of the third after arguing with home plate umpire Jesse Jean after the Pirates’ Blaze Alexander felt like Ashcraft had started his windup before he was set at the plate. Baltimore bench coach Donnie Ecker managed for the remainder of the game.  Jeremiah Jackson hit an RBI single in the seventh for the game’s final run.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #ExOriole #Ryan #OHearn #helps #Pirates #finish #sweep

Deadspin | Ex-Oriole Ryan O’Hearn helps Pirates finish sweep
Deadspin | Ex-Oriole Ryan O’Hearn helps Pirates finish sweep  Apr 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Pittsburgh Pirates fright fielder Ryan O’Hearn (29) celebrates his two run home run in the dugout while wearing a welders hood against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images   Braxton Ashcraft struck out a career-high eight and Ryan O’Hearn drove in four runs to lead the host Pittsburgh Pirates to an 8-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday afternoon.  O’Hearn and Oneil Cruz each hit two-run home runs to help the Pirates complete a three-game sweep of the Orioles, and win their fifth in a row. Pittsburgh did not sweep a series last season until June.  Ashcraft (1-1) gave up one run on an RBI double by Pete Alonso in the fourth inning, which put the Orioles on the board. But Ashcraft limited the damage, eventually tossing six innings without a walk. He allowed only four hits.  Taylor Ward led the Orioles at the plate with three hits.  Pirates pitchers struck out 14 overall without a walk.  Meanwhile, O’Hearn torched his former club at the plate, starting with a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the first off Baltimore starter Chris Bassitt (0-2). Pittsburgh followed with four more runs in the second.   Cruz finished with two hits and three RBIs and started the scoring in that frame with an RBI single when he lined a 112-mph hit on one hop off Bassitt’s leg. Bassitt shook it off and remained in the game. He later allowed a two-run double to O’Hearn that scored Cruz and Brandon Lowe.  Bassitt lasted just two innings and allowed six runs on six hits and two walks without a strikeout.   Lefty Cade Povich, who was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, replaced Bassitt in the third and delivered a solid 5 2/3 innings in relief, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out two. Cruz tagged Povich for a two-run home run – his fourth – in the bottom of the sixth to extend Pittsburgh’s lead to 8-1.   Orioles manager Craig Albernaz was ejected in the top of the third after arguing with home plate umpire Jesse Jean after the Pirates’ Blaze Alexander felt like Ashcraft had started his windup before he was set at the plate. Baltimore bench coach Donnie Ecker managed for the remainder of the game.  Jeremiah Jackson hit an RBI single in the seventh for the game’s final run.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #ExOriole #Ryan #OHearn #helps #Pirates #finish #sweepApr 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates fright fielder Ryan O’Hearn (29) celebrates his two run home run in the dugout while wearing a welders hood against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Braxton Ashcraft struck out a career-high eight and Ryan O’Hearn drove in four runs to lead the host Pittsburgh Pirates to an 8-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday afternoon.

O’Hearn and Oneil Cruz each hit two-run home runs to help the Pirates complete a three-game sweep of the Orioles, and win their fifth in a row. Pittsburgh did not sweep a series last season until June.

Ashcraft (1-1) gave up one run on an RBI double by Pete Alonso in the fourth inning, which put the Orioles on the board. But Ashcraft limited the damage, eventually tossing six innings without a walk. He allowed only four hits.

Taylor Ward led the Orioles at the plate with three hits.

Pirates pitchers struck out 14 overall without a walk.


Meanwhile, O’Hearn torched his former club at the plate, starting with a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the first off Baltimore starter Chris Bassitt (0-2). Pittsburgh followed with four more runs in the second.

Cruz finished with two hits and three RBIs and started the scoring in that frame with an RBI single when he lined a 112-mph hit on one hop off Bassitt’s leg. Bassitt shook it off and remained in the game. He later allowed a two-run double to O’Hearn that scored Cruz and Brandon Lowe.

Bassitt lasted just two innings and allowed six runs on six hits and two walks without a strikeout.

Lefty Cade Povich, who was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, replaced Bassitt in the third and delivered a solid 5 2/3 innings in relief, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out two. Cruz tagged Povich for a two-run home run – his fourth – in the bottom of the sixth to extend Pittsburgh’s lead to 8-1.

Orioles manager Craig Albernaz was ejected in the top of the third after arguing with home plate umpire Jesse Jean after the Pirates’ Blaze Alexander felt like Ashcraft had started his windup before he was set at the plate. Baltimore bench coach Donnie Ecker managed for the remainder of the game.

Jeremiah Jackson hit an RBI single in the seventh for the game’s final run.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #ExOriole #Ryan #OHearn #helps #Pirates #finish #sweep

Apr 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates fright fielder Ryan O’Hearn (29) celebrates his two run home run in the dugout while wearing a welders hood against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Braxton Ashcraft struck out a career-high eight and Ryan O’Hearn drove in four runs to lead the host Pittsburgh Pirates to an 8-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday afternoon.

O’Hearn and Oneil Cruz each hit two-run home runs to help the Pirates complete a three-game sweep of the Orioles, and win their fifth in a row. Pittsburgh did not sweep a series last season until June.

Ashcraft (1-1) gave up one run on an RBI double by Pete Alonso in the fourth inning, which put the Orioles on the board. But Ashcraft limited the damage, eventually tossing six innings without a walk. He allowed only four hits.

Taylor Ward led the Orioles at the plate with three hits.

Pirates pitchers struck out 14 overall without a walk.

Meanwhile, O’Hearn torched his former club at the plate, starting with a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the first off Baltimore starter Chris Bassitt (0-2). Pittsburgh followed with four more runs in the second.

Cruz finished with two hits and three RBIs and started the scoring in that frame with an RBI single when he lined a 112-mph hit on one hop off Bassitt’s leg. Bassitt shook it off and remained in the game. He later allowed a two-run double to O’Hearn that scored Cruz and Brandon Lowe.

Bassitt lasted just two innings and allowed six runs on six hits and two walks without a strikeout.

Lefty Cade Povich, who was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, replaced Bassitt in the third and delivered a solid 5 2/3 innings in relief, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out two. Cruz tagged Povich for a two-run home run – his fourth – in the bottom of the sixth to extend Pittsburgh’s lead to 8-1.

Orioles manager Craig Albernaz was ejected in the top of the third after arguing with home plate umpire Jesse Jean after the Pirates’ Blaze Alexander felt like Ashcraft had started his windup before he was set at the plate. Baltimore bench coach Donnie Ecker managed for the remainder of the game.

Jeremiah Jackson hit an RBI single in the seventh for the game’s final run.

–Field Level Media

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RPL 2026 — Second season of Rugby Premier League to be played in Hyderabad in June <div id="content-body-70829552" itemprop="articleBody"><p>GMR Sports, in partnership with Rugby India, the national governing body for the sport, announced that the second edition of the Rugby Premier League (RPL) will be held at the Gachibowli Stadium, Hyderabad, from June 16 to 28, 2026.</p><p>“We will always strive to deliver a better product for our fans, do better by our sponsors, and last but not least, be better partners for our franchises, their owners and their support staff,” Rahul Bose, President of Rugby India, said.</p><p>“RPL 2026 at the Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad sets out to achieve all this and more.”</p><p>Following a successful inaugural edition last year in Mumbai, the League will return in the Rugby 7s format and will feature all six franchises from the last season.</p><p>“Hyderabad’s premier sports infrastructure, excellent connectivity, and passionate fan base make it the perfect home for the league,” Satyam Trivedi, CEO, GMR Sports, said.</p><p>“One of our franchise partners is rooted in Hyderabad, underscoring the city’s pivotal role in our long-term vision for rugby in India.”</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 06, 2026</p></div> #RPL #season #Rugby #Premier #League #played #Hyderabad #June

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I just wanted to come here and help: Ashley Westwood on becoming Kerala Blasters coach <div id="content-body-70815663" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Kerala Blasters is going through a nightmare. It is lying 13th among the 14 teams of the ongoing season of the Indian Super League, with five losses and a draw.</p><p>So, Ashley Westwood has a task on his hands. The Englishman, who has a lot of experience in Indian football, has taken over as the new coach, in place of the Spaniard David Catala.</p><p>He admits it is a big challenge. “I have to get some morale back, some confidence, some team spirit, and to obviously try and improve performances,” Westwood, who had guided Bengaluru FC to the I-League title in the club’s first season, told <i>Sportstar</i>. “I have had a few chats with the players and the support staff.”</p><p>Westwood, a former England youth international who played for Bradford City in the English Premier League, said he accepted the job from the Blasters management because he wanted to help the team. “I know Indian football quite well. I just wanted to come here and help. They reached out to me after the match against Punjab FC.”</p><p>The offer came to Westwood, who has also worked with ATK and RoundGlass Punjab, at the right time – he had left his coaching job with the Hong Kong national team. “Seven weeks, roughly, and seven games, so it fitted well for me at the minute,” he reasoned. “And I am happy to be with Blasters at Kochi, which is a fantastic city.”</p><p><b>ALSO READ | <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-football/india-vs-hong-kong-jln-stadium-crowd-atmosphere-tifo-kochi-diary-poznan-latest-news/article70814852.ece" target="_blank">‘When fans rejoice, the JLN trembles’ — the Kochi crowd roars as India exorcises its hoodoo</a></b></p><p>He recalled how he spoiled the Blasters’ chances once while he was with ATK. “We had a very poor team at ATK, and we ended up drawing with Kerala Blasters, which probably cost them the playoffs,” he said. “My old friend David James was their coach.”</p><p>Westwood said Blasters was one ISL club he would have been keen about at any rate. “Because of the fan base,” he said. “As a coach, you always want to go to clubs with fans. And Kerala Blasters arguably have the most fans in India.”</p><p>Westwood, a product of the famous Manchester United Academy where he worked with the coaching great Alex Ferguson, believes there is plenty of talent in Indian football, but a lot needs to be done.</p><p>“Infrastructure, of course, is always very important,” he said. “When you go to European places, you will find millions of football fields everywhere,” he said. “There are nice facilities to train at. You need to encourage young players to stick at their career. And you have to train the kids from an early age.”</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 02, 2026</p></div> #wanted #Ashley #Westwood #Kerala #Blasters #coach

La Liga on Monday condemned threats and intimidation by Sevilla fans aimed at their own players and directors after they fell to a third straight league defeat.

Sevilla, 17th in the Spanish top flight, lost 1-0 away at bottom side Real Oviedo on Sunday, and some supporters met the team at the airport on its return to insult it , while others wearing masks were at the club training ground.

La Liga said in a statement this behaviour “unacceptably crosses the line of legitimate criticism and sporting expression”.

Earlier this season, some Sevilla fans tried to force their way into the training ground to remonstrate with the players.

ALSO READ | Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva to leave club for free at the end of the season

La Liga said it would report the incident to Spanish authorities and continue to take action in the future against similar incidents.

“Anyone who crosses the line from criticism into threats, intimidation, or harassment stops acting as a fan and starts acting as a violent individual,” added La Liga. “And against violent individuals, La Liga acts and will act.”

Sevilla, winless in five matches, is two points above the relegation zone with eight games remaining in the season.

Published on Apr 06, 2026

#Liga #condemns #threats #intimidation #Sevilla #fans #team">La Liga condemns threats, intimidation by Sevilla fans of own team  La Liga on Monday condemned threats and intimidation by Sevilla fans aimed at their own players and directors after they fell to a third straight league defeat.Sevilla, 17th in the Spanish top flight, lost 1-0 away at bottom side Real Oviedo on Sunday, and some supporters met the team at the airport on its return to insult it , while others wearing masks were at the club training ground.La Liga said in a statement this behaviour “unacceptably crosses the line of legitimate criticism and sporting expression”.Earlier this season, some Sevilla fans tried to force their way into the training ground to remonstrate with the players.ALSO READ | Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva to leave club for free at the end of the seasonLa Liga said it would report the incident to Spanish authorities and continue to take action in the future against similar incidents.“Anyone who crosses the line from criticism into threats, intimidation, or harassment stops acting as a fan and starts acting as a violent individual,” added La Liga. “And against violent individuals, La Liga acts and will act.”Sevilla, winless in five matches, is two points above the relegation zone with eight games remaining in the season.Published on Apr 06, 2026  #Liga #condemns #threats #intimidation #Sevilla #fans #team

Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva to leave club for free at the end of the season

La Liga said it would report the incident to Spanish authorities and continue to take action in the future against similar incidents.

“Anyone who crosses the line from criticism into threats, intimidation, or harassment stops acting as a fan and starts acting as a violent individual,” added La Liga. “And against violent individuals, La Liga acts and will act.”

Sevilla, winless in five matches, is two points above the relegation zone with eight games remaining in the season.

Published on Apr 06, 2026

#Liga #condemns #threats #intimidation #Sevilla #fans #team">La Liga condemns threats, intimidation by Sevilla fans of own team

La Liga on Monday condemned threats and intimidation by Sevilla fans aimed at their own players and directors after they fell to a third straight league defeat.

Sevilla, 17th in the Spanish top flight, lost 1-0 away at bottom side Real Oviedo on Sunday, and some supporters met the team at the airport on its return to insult it , while others wearing masks were at the club training ground.

La Liga said in a statement this behaviour “unacceptably crosses the line of legitimate criticism and sporting expression”.

Earlier this season, some Sevilla fans tried to force their way into the training ground to remonstrate with the players.

ALSO READ | Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva to leave club for free at the end of the season

La Liga said it would report the incident to Spanish authorities and continue to take action in the future against similar incidents.

“Anyone who crosses the line from criticism into threats, intimidation, or harassment stops acting as a fan and starts acting as a violent individual,” added La Liga. “And against violent individuals, La Liga acts and will act.”

Sevilla, winless in five matches, is two points above the relegation zone with eight games remaining in the season.

Published on Apr 06, 2026

#Liga #condemns #threats #intimidation #Sevilla #fans #team
Deadspin | Guardians hope bats continue to come alive vs. Royals  Mar 28, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha (52) throws against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Mady Mertens-Imagn Images   Fresh off series wins against the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs, the American League Central-leading Cleveland Guardians begin divisional play Monday when they welcome the Kansas City Royals for a three-game set.  Those two series wins came after splitting four games in Seattle to start the season against the Mariners, a team many expect to contend for the AL pennant this season.  “We had a tough way to start, and it doesn’t get easier,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said after his team won the tail end of Sunday’s doubleheader against the Cubs. “We have another tough week ahead of us, and I’m sure it doesn’t get easy after that. Every team in the big leagues is really good, but I couldn’t be more thrilled with where we are.”  Right-hander Tanner Bibee (0-1, 4.00 ERA) is slated to get the start in the series opener. He suffered the defeat in his last start, allowing just one run but lasting only four innings in a 4-1 Dodgers win on Tuesday in Los Angeles.  Bibee, 27, has fared well against the Royals. In eight career starts, Bibee is 4-0, with three of those victories coming in his last four starts against Kansas City. He has a 3.19 ERA against the Royals but has allowed 36 hits and 16 walks in 42 1/3 innings.  Offensively, the Guardians hope the bats that came alive late in Sunday’s second game against the Cubs can carry that momentum into Monday. After getting just one hit in a 1-0 loss in Sunday’s first game, the Guardians had just two hits in the first five frames of the nightcap.  However, they sent eight batters to the plate in both the sixth and eighth innings, allowing them to erase 3-0 and 4-3 deficits to win 6-5.  CJ Kayfus, who entered Sunday 0-for-10 on the season, recorded the Guardians’ lone hit in Sunday’s opener and followed that by coming off the bench to go 2-for-2 with two RBIs and two runs scored in the second game. That included his first home run of the season in the eighth inning to tie the game at 4.  Sunday’s action marked the first time the 24-year-old outfielder had played since last Tuesday in Los Angeles.   The Royals have lost three of their last four, with Sunday’s 8-5 home loss to the Milwaukee Brewers keeping them from claiming their second series of the season.  Veteran righty Michael Wacha (0-0, 0.00) gets the ball for the Royals on Monday. It will be just his second start of the season as manager Matt Quatraro’s team is using a six-man rotation.   Wacha threw six shutout innings on March 28 on the road against the Atlanta Braves. He allowed just three hits and a walk while striking out seven but did not get a decision.  Wacha is 2-2 in eight career starts against Cleveland, with a 2.49 ERA.  The Royals are hitting .251 for the season, but their best player, shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., has struggled to his standards in Kansas City’s first nine games.  Witt’s hitting just .242 this season. A two-time 30 home run hitter and 2024 AL batting champ who led the league in doubles last season and triples in 2023, he also has not gotten an extra-base hit this season.  “He’s in one of those spots right now where it seems like he’s got two strikes every time he goes up,” Quatraro told MLB.com.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Guardians #hope #bats #continue #alive #RoyalsMar 28, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha (52) throws against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Mady Mertens-Imagn Images

Fresh off series wins against the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs, the American League Central-leading Cleveland Guardians begin divisional play Monday when they welcome the Kansas City Royals for a three-game set.

Those two series wins came after splitting four games in Seattle to start the season against the Mariners, a team many expect to contend for the AL pennant this season.

“We had a tough way to start, and it doesn’t get easier,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said after his team won the tail end of Sunday’s doubleheader against the Cubs. “We have another tough week ahead of us, and I’m sure it doesn’t get easy after that. Every team in the big leagues is really good, but I couldn’t be more thrilled with where we are.”

Right-hander Tanner Bibee (0-1, 4.00 ERA) is slated to get the start in the series opener. He suffered the defeat in his last start, allowing just one run but lasting only four innings in a 4-1 Dodgers win on Tuesday in Los Angeles.

Bibee, 27, has fared well against the Royals. In eight career starts, Bibee is 4-0, with three of those victories coming in his last four starts against Kansas City. He has a 3.19 ERA against the Royals but has allowed 36 hits and 16 walks in 42 1/3 innings.

Offensively, the Guardians hope the bats that came alive late in Sunday’s second game against the Cubs can carry that momentum into Monday. After getting just one hit in a 1-0 loss in Sunday’s first game, the Guardians had just two hits in the first five frames of the nightcap.

However, they sent eight batters to the plate in both the sixth and eighth innings, allowing them to erase 3-0 and 4-3 deficits to win 6-5.

CJ Kayfus, who entered Sunday 0-for-10 on the season, recorded the Guardians’ lone hit in Sunday’s opener and followed that by coming off the bench to go 2-for-2 with two RBIs and two runs scored in the second game. That included his first home run of the season in the eighth inning to tie the game at 4.


Sunday’s action marked the first time the 24-year-old outfielder had played since last Tuesday in Los Angeles.

The Royals have lost three of their last four, with Sunday’s 8-5 home loss to the Milwaukee Brewers keeping them from claiming their second series of the season.

Veteran righty Michael Wacha (0-0, 0.00) gets the ball for the Royals on Monday. It will be just his second start of the season as manager Matt Quatraro’s team is using a six-man rotation.

Wacha threw six shutout innings on March 28 on the road against the Atlanta Braves. He allowed just three hits and a walk while striking out seven but did not get a decision.

Wacha is 2-2 in eight career starts against Cleveland, with a 2.49 ERA.

The Royals are hitting .251 for the season, but their best player, shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., has struggled to his standards in Kansas City’s first nine games.

Witt’s hitting just .242 this season. A two-time 30 home run hitter and 2024 AL batting champ who led the league in doubles last season and triples in 2023, he also has not gotten an extra-base hit this season.

“He’s in one of those spots right now where it seems like he’s got two strikes every time he goes up,” Quatraro told MLB.com.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Guardians #hope #bats #continue #alive #Royals">Deadspin | Guardians hope bats continue to come alive vs. Royals  Mar 28, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha (52) throws against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Mady Mertens-Imagn Images   Fresh off series wins against the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs, the American League Central-leading Cleveland Guardians begin divisional play Monday when they welcome the Kansas City Royals for a three-game set.  Those two series wins came after splitting four games in Seattle to start the season against the Mariners, a team many expect to contend for the AL pennant this season.  “We had a tough way to start, and it doesn’t get easier,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said after his team won the tail end of Sunday’s doubleheader against the Cubs. “We have another tough week ahead of us, and I’m sure it doesn’t get easy after that. Every team in the big leagues is really good, but I couldn’t be more thrilled with where we are.”  Right-hander Tanner Bibee (0-1, 4.00 ERA) is slated to get the start in the series opener. He suffered the defeat in his last start, allowing just one run but lasting only four innings in a 4-1 Dodgers win on Tuesday in Los Angeles.  Bibee, 27, has fared well against the Royals. In eight career starts, Bibee is 4-0, with three of those victories coming in his last four starts against Kansas City. He has a 3.19 ERA against the Royals but has allowed 36 hits and 16 walks in 42 1/3 innings.  Offensively, the Guardians hope the bats that came alive late in Sunday’s second game against the Cubs can carry that momentum into Monday. After getting just one hit in a 1-0 loss in Sunday’s first game, the Guardians had just two hits in the first five frames of the nightcap.  However, they sent eight batters to the plate in both the sixth and eighth innings, allowing them to erase 3-0 and 4-3 deficits to win 6-5.  CJ Kayfus, who entered Sunday 0-for-10 on the season, recorded the Guardians’ lone hit in Sunday’s opener and followed that by coming off the bench to go 2-for-2 with two RBIs and two runs scored in the second game. That included his first home run of the season in the eighth inning to tie the game at 4.  Sunday’s action marked the first time the 24-year-old outfielder had played since last Tuesday in Los Angeles.   The Royals have lost three of their last four, with Sunday’s 8-5 home loss to the Milwaukee Brewers keeping them from claiming their second series of the season.  Veteran righty Michael Wacha (0-0, 0.00) gets the ball for the Royals on Monday. It will be just his second start of the season as manager Matt Quatraro’s team is using a six-man rotation.   Wacha threw six shutout innings on March 28 on the road against the Atlanta Braves. He allowed just three hits and a walk while striking out seven but did not get a decision.  Wacha is 2-2 in eight career starts against Cleveland, with a 2.49 ERA.  The Royals are hitting .251 for the season, but their best player, shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., has struggled to his standards in Kansas City’s first nine games.  Witt’s hitting just .242 this season. A two-time 30 home run hitter and 2024 AL batting champ who led the league in doubles last season and triples in 2023, he also has not gotten an extra-base hit this season.  “He’s in one of those spots right now where it seems like he’s got two strikes every time he goes up,” Quatraro told MLB.com.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Guardians #hope #bats #continue #alive #Royals

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