CLEVELAND (AP) — Rookie Hunter Gaddis pitched six strong innings for his first major league win and struggling Cleveland catcher Mike Zunino connected for a two-run homer, sending the Guardians over the Chicago White Sox 3-0.
Gaddis was recalled earlier in the day from AAA Columbus and gave the Guardians a badly needed quality start after they were swept over the weekend in New York, losing all three to the Mets by one run.
Zunino, who has been a target of fan complaints because he’s not been hitting, belted his third homer in the seventh off reliever Gregory Santos.
Before he connected, Zunino was in a 1 for 31 slump with 21 strikeouts.
The White Sox had their three-game winning streak stopped.
In Memory
The Guardians observed a pregame moment of silence for legendary Browns running back Jim Brown, who died last week at the age of 87.
Brown played nine seasons in Cleveland and led the NFL in rushing eight times.
Rookie Brennan accidentally kills bird
Cleveland rookie Will Brennan hit a hard grounder that accidentally killed a bird wandering on the infield grass.
When Brennan got to first he reacted by putting his hands on his helmet and grimacing.
Following the game, Brennan posted an apology on Twitter.
It’s the second time in a week that a major league player has unintentionally killed a bird.