The two-time All-Star had a brilliant outing in his first game back from Tommy John surgery. The Padres won the game, scoring nine runs and beating the White Sox by an impressive score of 11 to 2 .
Mike Clevinger was a pitcher for the San Diego Padres. He had Tommy John surgery in August of 2017, and was able to return to the team on April 3rd, 2018. After his impressive start against the Detroit Tigers, it looks like he is ready to make a comeback. Read more in detail here: mike clevinger injury.
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Mike Clevinger managed to keep his composure for as long as he could.
Clevinger couldn’t contain his emotions after finally pitching in a big league game after elbow surgery, a lockout, a knee strain, and a rainout that had delayed his comeback for San Diego.
Clevinger said Wednesday, his voice shaking as he fought back tears, “I wasn’t sure I was going to throw again.” “This is significant.”
The Padres beat the Cleveland Guardians 5-4 in the first game of a doubleheader, with Clevinger pitching well in his first start since Tommy John surgery in 2020. Manny Machado blasted a two-run homer.
Machado hit a two-run home run in the third inning off Zach Plesac (1-3), and Austin Nola’s go-ahead RBI double in the sixth gave the Padres their sixth win in seven games, all on the road.
Steven Wilson (3-0) earned the victory despite walking two batters in the fifth inning, while Taylor Rogers earned his 10th save.
Game 2 will be started by Padres rookie MacKenzie Gore against Cleveland’s Cal Quantrill.
Clevinger, who underwent surgery not long after throwing in Game 1 of the National League Division Series two years ago — only months after being dealt from Cleveland to San Diego — was overjoyed to be back on the mound. The right-hander surrendered three runs and four hits against his old club and Plesac, one of his best pals.
Before manager Bob Melvin withdrew Clevinger after 95 pitches, he was only one out away from a possible victory.
The victory would have been nice, but Clevinger was grateful for the opportunity to participate again.
“I can’t thank the individuals who have supported me enough,” Clevinger said as he stood in the hallway outside San Diego’s clubhouse between games.
Clevinger, who pitched for Cleveland for four seasons until being dealt in 2020, was ahead 3-1 in the fifth inning when he walked Myles Straw with one out. With two outs, he replaced José Ramrez with Wilson, who gave up a walk and Josh Naylor’s tying two-run single.
Melvin was urged by Clevinger to complete the inning.
“I really appreciate Bob giving me an opportunity to go out and grab it, and I was campaigning hard for it, and I’m grateful he let me attempt to go after Josey that one more time,” Clevinger said. I was determined not to let him defeat me.
“I was going to try to get him to swing outside the zone, and being the hitter that he is, I wasn’t going to let him tie the game up there, so I did what I had to do to him, and it just didn’t work out.”
The Padres, on the other hand, responded with two runs in the sixth inning, thanks to Nola’s double off Enyel De Los Santos and Jake Cronenworth’s sacrifice fly.
Clevinger’s comeback was pushed back a day after the first game of the series was postponed due to rain and a damp forecast on Tuesday.
When Clevinger, dubbed “Sunshine,” finally hit the mound, the weather was not San Diego-like, with low-hanging clouds around Progressive Field throughout the early innings.
In the third inning, Machado’s sixth home run put Clevinger and the Padres ahead 3-0.
Cronenworth reached on a mistake by Naylor at first with one out before Machado, who batted.386 in April, blasted a 1-1 pitch over the center-field wall.
DOZENS AND DOZENS OF BAKER’S DOZENS
Terry Francona, the Guardians’ manager, greeted Dusty Baker’s 2,000th career victory with a broad grin and compliments.
“I’m pleased for Dusty,” Francona, who had 1,792 victories before the day, remarked. “I think it’s incredibly nice when good things happen to decent people — and he clearly meets both criteria.”
When the Houston Astros defeated the Seattle Mariners 4-0 on Tuesday night, Baker became the first Black manager to attain the milestone. He’s the 12th manager to achieve 2,000 wins, a milestone that ensures his Hall of Fame induction.
ROOM FOR TRAINEES
1B, Padres In the first game of a rehab assignment at Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday, Luke Voit (biceps tightness) went 0-for-2 with a walk, run, and strikeout. When San Diego returns home, Voit might be activated off the injured list.
INF: Guardians After being put on the COVID-19 list last month, Yu Chang is still in the minors. On Tuesday, Chang’s rehab assignment was moved to Triple-A Columbus.
UP NEXT
Padres: The Padres will return to San Diego for a weekend series against the Miami Marlins. Nick Martinez (1-2) takes the mound against Marlins RHP Jess Luzardo on Thursday (2-1).
On Thursday, the Guardians begin a four-game home series against Toronto, starting Aaron Civale (0-2) against Blue Jays RHP José Berros (2-0).
Mike Clevinger has been on the disabled list since May 2017, but he’s back and pitching better than ever. The San Diego Padres pitcher was impressive in his return from Tommy John surgery with a 5-2 win over the Atlanta Braves. Reference: what happened to clevinger catch-22.
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