CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Nick Sandlin’s first start as a professional was a lot like his 56 other appearances this season. He took the mound in the first game of Monday’s doubleheader against the Royals, recorded three outs and walked back to the dugout. He was done for the game.
More Guardians coverage Guardians’ AL Central lead shrinks as Bobby Witt Jr.’s late HR gives Royals a 4-3 win Red Sox catcher becomes first player in MLB history to play for two teams in one game Guardians come first for José Ramírez, but 40-40 season is beckoning The difference being that he was throwing the first pitch of the game instead of coming into a high-leverage situation in the middle or late innings. The Guardians decided to use Sandlin in the role of “opener” against the Royals.
In fact, he was scheduled to do the same thing on June 5 against the Royals, but that game was rained out, which resulted in Monday’s doubleheader. Nick Sandlin made the first start of his career after 197 previous relief appearances, and pitched a scoreless inning. He said the preparation for the outing was a little different than normal, and he enjoyed knowing exactly when he would throw in the game.
#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/BWXtROhnQY Sandlin’s inning came and went fairly quietly.
He struck out Michael Massey and Vinnie Pasquantino, walked Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez and retired MJ Melendez on foul pop to first. He threw 22 pitches, 11 for strikes.
That’s not a good ratio between balls .