Cleveland Guardians' Cal Quantrill Shelled in Start Monday vs. Rockies

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Cal Quantrill was knocked around by the Colorado Rockies Monday night at Progressive Field, making his shortest start of the season in the series' opener between the two teams. Quantrill exited Monday's game in the top of the fourth inning with one out, after allowing five runs off eight hits, two walks and a homer.

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Cal Quantrill was knocked around by the Colorado Rockies Monday night at Progressive Field, making his shortest start of the season in the series' opener between the two teams.

Quantrill exited Monday's game in the top of the fourth inning with one out, after allowing five runs off eight hits, two walks and a homer.

The Rockies got on the board in the top of the first inning with a solo home run from left fielder Jurickson Profar. Profar arrived to Rockies camp late in spring training, signing a one-year, $7.75 million contract with the club March 21. Injuries to key outfielders created a need, and the Rockies added Profar on a one-year deal. He's slashing .215/.300/.654 in 21 games to open the season. Profar's solo blast put Colorado up 1-0.

Quantrill allowed a single to Kris Bryant, but was able to get out of the inning without any further damage. Quantrill allowed a base hit in both the second and third innings, but again, was able to emerge unscathed. Then in the fourth, the Rockies struck, plating four runs and forcing Guardians manager to make an early call to the pen.

Elias Diaz singled to left field to lead-off the inning. Mike Moustakas singled, putting runners on first and second, before Quantrill got Alan Trejo to line out to center field for the inning's first out. Quantrill then walked Brenton Doyle, loading the bases and setting the stage for rookie Ezequiel Tovar.

A single from Tovar paired with a rare throwing error from Gold Glove left fielder Steven Kwan scored Diaz and Moustakas. Quantrill walked Charlie Blackmon, once again loading the bases, this time for Profar.

Profar banged home two more runs on a single to left, putting the Rockies up 5-0 in the top of the fourth, with only one out. The Rockies had ran Quantrill's pitch count up to 80 pitches.

Francona went to his bullpen early, and Quantrill's day was done. Relief pitcher Nick Sandlin came in to relieve Quantrill and proceeded to retire the side, striking out Kris Bryant and C.J. Cron.

Through five starts, Quantrill's ERA is now up to 5.40 on the season. Quantrill was highly effective at Progressive Field a season ago, logging a 3.28 ERA.

The Guardians' pitching staff has struggled through the season's first three and a half weeks. With injuries to starting pitchers Triston McKenzie and Aaron Civale, Cleveland has needed to rely heavily on rookies Peyton Battenfield and Hunter Gaddis. Gaddis struggled in four starts (6.86 ERA), prompting the Guardians to demote him to Triple-A last week. Battenfield has impressed (1.69 ERA) and rookie Logan Allen looked excellent in his first start, allowing just one run on five hits and one walk over six innings. Zach Plesac (6.50 ERA) and Quantrill have struggled, and as a result, the Guardians are 13th in team ERA (4.12) in Major League Baseball. Last season, the club tied with the Atlanta Braves for the fifth-best ERA (3.46) in the majors.

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