The Cleveland Indians won their last home game before adopting the Guardians name., prevailing on Monday 8-3 against the Kansas City Royals. The victory closed a cycle that began in 1915 and that will continue next season with a new identity.
Amed Rosario homered and Cal Quantrill pitched six dominant innings to delight the 13,121. fans who flocked to Progressive Field to see their team as the Indians for the last time. Dominican Rosario rounded out an afternoon of four hits and three RBIs.
Bradley Zimmer homered off his brother, Kansas City reliever Kyle Zimmer, in the eighth. Salvador Pérez drove in two runs for the Royals.
The closing of the schedule at home marked the club’s last game in Cleveland as the Indians, the end of a 106-year period in a city in which the name will always be associated with baseball legends such as Bob Feller, Larry Doby and Jim Thome.
But now the Indians will be a memory, although not stale.
The team announced the name change earlier this year. following a debate in the country by names and symbols with racist connotations. For some, the change was necessary. Others weren’t quite ready.
For the Royals, the Venezuelan Pérez 4-2, one scored and two RBIs. The Dominicans Carlos Santana 4-0 and Adalberto Mondesí 4-1.
For the Indians, the Dominicans Rosario 5-4, two runs scored and three RBIs; José Ramírez 4-0; and Franmil Reyes from 3-1. Venezuelan Andrés Giménez 3-1, two RBIs. Colombian Oscar Mercado 4-0.