Zach Plesac, Mike Clevinger reunite as friends and competitors on the mound

For a few days, two friends who were separated by a couple thousand miles due to work placement were able to see what it'd be like had they remained in the same area.

Guardians starter Zach Plesac and former Guardians pitcher Mike Clevinger were close friends as teammates in Cleveland in 2019 and 2020. But baseball is a business, and they were split up when Clevinger was dealt to the San Diego Padres during the shortened 2020 season.

The first game of Wednesday's doubleheader served as an opportunity for the first in-season reunion. Monday was an off day and Tuesday's game was postponed due to inclement weather, so it gave everyone a few extra days before the start of the series. Clevinger and Plesac ended up accidentally running into one another outside the stadium in addition to getting dinner together.

"It's funny, we've seen each other, we ran into each other twice in a row at this Restore juicery downtown, just ironically, you know, it's just funny," Plesac said. "It gives me chills right now, it's like we'd be doing that together if we were playing together, so it's just funny how the timing works out.

"You know, like I said, he's just like a brother to me, like family to me. And you know, again, just seeing him out there pitching and doing what he does is awesome."

The two faced one another in the first game on Wednesday, which the Padres won 5-4. It wasn't just a reunion, but a chance for a much anticipated matchup on the mound. But among friends, there wasn't any friendly trash talk leading into it. They were just happy to be in the same stadium again.

"Yeah, I mean, there is no trash talk, really," Plesac said. "At that point, him getting back into games is just something I'm rooting for, for him. You know, I'm a fan of his, I love watching him pitch and really, there's no trash talking. We went out to dinner the day before we were supposed to start."

Monthly awards::Jose Ramirez wins AL Player of the Month, Steven Kwan named Rookie of the Month

The game had an extra layer of importance for Clevinger, who pitched for the first time since he had Tommy John surgery in November of 2020. It was his second Tommy John surgery, which is a difficult mountain to climb for any pitcher. It allowed some questions to seep into his mind about whether he'd be able to continue his career after having to go through such an extensive rehab with his elbow a second time.

After the game, Clevinger became emotional discussing his return with reporters.

“Yeah, it was — sorry — yeah, I wasn’t sure I was going to pitch again, so this is big," Clevinger said, trying to hold it together. "It was overwhelming at first, but no, it was amazing to get back there and compete. It’s been a super long road and I can’t thank the people behind me enough. ... It hasn’t been easy, but just happy to be back."

Plesac finished with five runs allowed (four earned) on five hits and four walks and four strikeouts. Clevinger gave up three earned runs on four hits and three walks with four strikeouts. The two close friends, now competitors on the same mound for one day, even had comparable outings.

Plesac was just glad to see Clevinger back out there again — a friend supporting a friend.

"Yeah, I mean, it's, it's really awesome to see the process and journey he's gone through to get to where he's at, and just to see him back on the mound doing what he does is awesome, you know?" Plesac said. "As a friend and a fellow teammate, I mean, it just means so much to me to watch him do that. You know, it's just special to see for a special dude and a really good, talented player."

Steven Kwan hits first walk-off winner in majors

Rookie Steven Kwan ended Wednesday's doubleheader with a walk-off single in the 10th inning to give the Guardians a 6-5 win and a split of the two games. It was the Guardians' first walk-off win this season and Kwan's first walk-off hit since he was in the lower levels of the minor leagues.

It meant Kwan would be doused with water and probably beat up a little bit as he rounded first and sent the Guardians home a bit happier after a long day that had already featured a 5-4 loss.

But he said he doesn't remember much of the actual celebration. It was all a blur.

"That was cool. Instant blackout right when I got to first," Kwan said. "Right when I got to first, water hit me in the face, I don't even remember what happened. The next thing I know we're in the line saying 'good game' to each other and that was pretty cool. It's been a while, probably like high A or something, a little bleeder over the third baseman. This was much cooler."

Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Guardians at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/cleveland-guardians. Follow him on Twitter at @ByRyanLewis.