Wild rookie left-hander takes blame for ALCS loss: Breakfast of the Guardians

Three of New York’s five runs came on a record number of wild pitches from Cantillo.

“My performance made the difference in the game,” Cantillo said. “Well, I live with it. I’m excited to see how we all get involved on Tuesday and the rest of the series.”

Cantillo relieved right-hander Alex Cobb with the bases loaded and two outs in the third inning after Cobb had back problems and left hip strain. Against left guard Anthony Rizzo, Cantillo threw his first wild throw to score Aaron Judge from third for a 2-0 lead. After accompanying Rizzo to load the bases, he threw another wild pitch to Alex Verdugo to score Giancarlo Stanton for a 3-0 lead.

“It wasn’t that I wasn’t prepared,” Cantillo said. “It was about going in there and doing what you’re supposed to do. That’s executing. I didn’t execute tonight. I will learn from it and be ready for the next opportunity.”

Cantillo struck out Verdugo to end the inning and manager Stephen Vogt sent him out for the fourth. He opened the inning by walking Gleyber Torres and took him to third base on two more wild pitches while walking No. 2 hitter Juan Soto.

Finally he was done for the night when Pedro Avila replaced him. Judge greeted Avila with a sacrifice fly to complete Cantillo’s line — one-third of an inning, no hits, one run, three walks and four wild pitches.

A reliever’s four wild pitches are the most in postseason and franchise history. Rick Ankiel, a starter for St. Louis, threw five wild pitches for St. Louis in Game 1 of the 2000 ALDS against Atlanta.

The last Cleveland pitcher to throw four wild pitches was starter Jake Westbrook on April 5, 2010 against the White Sox.

“Cobb threw really, really well,” Cantillo said. “It was my job to go in there and face the left-hander and get ourselves out of that inning. I didn’t do that. It’s just because I’m not doing my job.”

Bo Naylor was behind the plate on all four wild throws.

“He had difficulty getting into the strike zone on several throws,” Naylor said. “They were patient with him and put pressure on him to force him to get into the zone and it eluded him.”

Naylor would have had to wear NHL goalie guards to even come close to blocking Cantillo’s wild shots.

“You always look back and think about what you could have done better,” Naylor said. “Some of them were heaters, at that speed and at that speed you end up just trying to get it under control. I think it was a change that went away from me. It stayed down and went through my legs.”

Naylor said he isn’t worried about Cantillo’s confidence.

“Joey is not a guy that I worry about when it comes to confidence or getting his mind back on track,” Naylor said. “He has a strong head on his shoulders.”

This was Cantillo’s second appearance at Yankee Stadium this year. There is nowhere to go but up for the 6-4 left-hander.

In a start on September 21, he allowed a two-run home run in the first inning against Juan Soto and a two-run home run in the third inning against Judge in an 8-1 loss.

During the game, the Guardians’ pitchers threw five wild pitches while garnering a strikeout nine with seven walks.

Trivia question

It’s a cold morning in the city that never sleeps. How about a big bowl of oatmeal with banana slices to warm you up? Besides Bo and Josh Naylor, who did it Monday night, who were the last brothers to appear as teammates in an ALCS game? Answer below.

Postseason schedule

MLB has set broadcast times for ALCS games between the Guardians and Yankees. Game 2 is Tuesday night at 7:38 p.m. at Yankee Stadium. Here is the updated schedule of game times and TV broadcasts for ALCS and NLCS.

The game tonight

The Guardians will look to secure a split in the first two games of the ALCS on Tuesday night when they face Tanner Bibee (0-0, 2.08) against Gerrit Cole (1-0, 3.08) at Yankee Stadium Send hills.

This will be Bibee’s third postseason start this year. He made one start against the Yankees, the second of his career, on May 2, 2023. He allowed two earned runs in 5 1/3 innings without a decision.

Cole was a nightmare for the Guardians in the regular season and postseason. He is 7-2 with a 2.82 ERA in 11 regular season starts. He is 4-0 in four postseason appearances, including two in the 2022 ALDS.

TBS, truTV, MAX, WTAM, WMMS and the Guardians radio station will broadcast the game.

What’s next?

Wednesday: The Guardians and Yankees are off and will practice at Progressive Field.

Thursday: Game 3 of the ALCS will be played at Progressive Field at 5:08 p.m. The Guardians have not announced a starter. RHP Clarke Schmidt (0-0, 3.86) will start for the Yankees.

Friday: Game 4 of the ALCS will be played at Progressive Field at 8:08 p.m. RHP Luis Gil (0-0, 0.00) will start for the Yankees. The Guardians have not named a starter.

Saturday: Game 5 (if required) of the ALCS will be played at Progressive Field at 8:08 p.m. The starters have not yet been announced.

Sunday: The two teams have Sunday off and will practice at Yankee Stadium. Games 6 and 7, if necessary, are scheduled for October 21 and 22.

Trivia answer: Benjie and Jose Molina played for the Angles in Game 2 of the 2005 ALCS against the White Sox.