Gabriel Arias rewarded the Cleveland Guardians last night for giving him the starting job at second base.

Arias collected three hits and made an amazing play on defense as Cleveland beat visiting Kansas City 7-0.

Let’s start with defense. Arias chased a pop fly into short right field and made an over-the-shoulder catch. He spun around and threw to first to complete a double play.

Radio announcer Tom Hamilton said that sometimes the best thing to happen to a player like Arias is to be out of minor-league options. He has to produce if he wants to stay in the organization.

STRIKING FIRST

The game began as a pitchers’ duel between Guardians ace Tanner Bibee and Royals lefty Kris Bubic.

Arias broke the deadlock by slamming a three-run homer to right field in the fourth inning.

Bibee was staked to a 3-0 lead, but his pitch count was 96 with two outs in the fifth.

Manager Steven Kwan brought in Tim Herrin to get Bibee out of a jam. Unable to record the victory, Bibee gave the skipper a death glare.

Herrin pitched the sixth as well. Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis, and Triston McKenzie each added a scoreless inning to complete the shutout.

PUT THE GAME AWAY

The Guardians blew the game open with four runs in the eighth inning. Angel Martinez hit a sacrifice fly to score Nolan Jones.

Steven Kwan singled to bring home Austin Hedges. Brayan Rocchio scored on Jonathan India’s second error of the game at third base.

Carlos Santana finished the rally with a single to score Kwan.

After a 3-6 start on the road, Cleveland has won all four home games. Tonight’s matchup will start at 6:10, with Luis Ortiz starting for Cleveland against Michael Lorenzen.