A promising start for Kansas City’s rookie pitcher Ryan Bergert took a sharp turn Monday as the Cleveland Guardians delivered a decisive performance. Though the Royals managed to avoid a no-hitter, the Guardians’ fourth-inning outburst set the tone for a lopsided victory.
Royals avoid getting no-hit, but Guardians’ big 4th sets up rout in series opener

Key Takeaways:
- Bergert’s early struggles signaled a challenging game for the Royals
- The Guardians’ big fourth inning shifted momentum decisively
- The Royals narrowly avoided a no-hitter
- Bergert joined the Royals from the Padres at the trade deadline
- This matchup kicked off the series between the two teams
Series Opener in Cleveland
The Kansas City Royals arrived in Cleveland eager to begin their latest series, hoping to build on recent performances. However, they quickly faced a formidable Cleveland Guardians lineup energized by its home crowd.
A Rookie’s Promising Start
Rookie pitcher Ryan Bergert had turned heads since joining the Royals from the San Diego Padres at the trade deadline. His impressive showings suggested he would be a reliable asset on the mound.
A Tough Monday Night
Despite his early promise, Bergert learned that every moment in the majors can test a young pitcher’s mettle. “It wasn’t his night on Monday,” noted observers of the matchup, as he was chased early before he could settle in.
The Big Fourth Inning
The turning point arrived in the fourth inning, when the Guardians found their rhythm and unleashed a potent offensive surge. While the Royals were still reeling from Bergert’s exit, Cleveland capitalized with timely hits that created a commanding gap on the scoreboard.
Avoiding the No-Hitter
Even as the game slipped out of reach, Kansas City clung to a silver lining: they eventually recorded a hit to dodge the indignity of a no-hitter. Though it couldn’t change the ultimate outcome, it showed the Royals’ resilience in the face of adversity.
What Lies Ahead
With this contest marking just the opener of the series, both clubs are poised for more battles in the coming days. The Royals look to regroup quickly, hoping to see flashes of Bergert’s earlier promise return to the mound, while the Guardians seek to build on their momentum as they eye the rest of the series.