Oscar Gonzalez makes the play of the season for Guardians, putting a spotlight on his glove, arm

Oscar Gonzalez has brought with him two calling cards in his short time in the majors: a flurry of hits and the Spongebob Squarepants theme, which plays every time he steps to the plate and leads to kids all around the stadium screaming to the song.

But the Guardians rookie, who has quickly carved out an everyday role in the middle of the lineup, put the spotlight on his glove and arm Friday night, making what would surely be the defensive play of the season thus far in Cleveland, though it came in a 6-3 loss.

With the score tied 2-2, the Red Sox had runners on second and third with one out in the top of the fifth inning and were threatening to take the lead. J.D. Martinez lined a ball to right field that, if it fell, would score at least one run.

Gonzalez, charging in, made a shoestring catch for the second out and in one motion crow-hopped and fired home, as Red Sox runner Christian Arroyo was tagging at third. The throw was on the money and catcher Austin Hedges applied the tag.

"That was a nice play. That was a really nice play," Guardians manager Terry Francona said. "I think he knew if he left his feet he probably doesn't have a play. He got himself in position where he didn't have to and he didn't try to do too much."

Starting pitcher Cal Quantrill put both arms in the air, celebrating like it was a walk-off win, before yelling to Gonzalez as he jogged into the dugout.

"Yeah, I think my reaction on the field probably shows you my excitement," Quantrill said. "It's an incredible play. I don't think there are many right fielders who can do all the things that he does."

It wasn't quite Michael Jordan going for the right-handed dunk and then switching to a left-handed layup in mid-air. But Gonzalez first thought to dive but knew if he did, the runner easily scores from third. It took a mid-sprint adjustment to catch it near his feet.

“In reality, that was my first reaction, but as soon as I saw I had a chance and the runner was tagging, I tried to make the effort to stay on me feet to be in a better position to throw," Gonzalez said through a team translator.

According to MLB.com's Sarah Langs, Gonzalez's throw from right field was clocked at 96.7 mph, which is tied for the second fastest throw on an outfield assist by a Cleveland player since the start of 2020, tying Tyler Naquin on Aug. 8, 2020. The fastest throw? That also belongs to Gonzalez, at 99.2 mph on May 31.

With it, Gonzalez became the third outfielder this season with multiple outfield assists of at least 96 mph, joining Austin Hayes and Aristides Aquino, according to Langs.

Gonzalez has done enough at the plate to warrant a key role in the lineup. He's now hitting .311 with an .811 OPS. Francona noted on Friday night that he has plenty of juice in his arm, too, even to the point that he might not need to throw as hard, which can impact accuracy when over-throwing.

"The last couple of throws he's made, he's maybe trying to throw too much," Francona said. "He doesn't need to. He's got plenty. That was a really good play."

Gonzalez is, perhaps, on his way to gaining a reputation as having one of the more dangerous arms in right field. He says it doesn't matter if runners respect it or not. He'll welcome the test if it comes along.

“I can’t control what they think, but I’ll always make sure to be ready every time to make a play whenever it’s needed," Gonzalez said.

Cal Quantrill throws shorter outing after 'grind' of second inning

In the Guardians' 6-3 loss to the Red Sox Friday night, Quantrill allowed two runs on five hits and two walks with four strikeouts in five innings. He was wildly effective and he was helped out by Gonzalez's stellar play in right field, but was otherwise able to limit a red-hot Red Sox lineup. It was his efficiency that was the issue. Quantrill labored through the second inning and was pulled after 89 pitches.

Quantrill was certainly due for some regression after his torrid finish to the 2021 season (1.94 ERA in the second half) and has mostly been solid, sporting a 3.76 ERA. But after enjoying eight quality starts in a nine-outing span, Quantrill has logged only five innings in back-to-back games, including his five-run, 10-hit performance against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

For Quantrill, it's been an issue of finishing hitters.

"I think that was kind of the name of the game today," Quantrill said. "I think I was pretty good at getting to two strikes, had a really hard time executing that last pitch. I think we're close. I don't think today was drastically different from some of the more successes games I've had. Just fought it a little bit.

"I think what makes me helpful to this team is going deep in games. It's disappointing, but I think the stuff is still there. A couple small adjustments."

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.