SAN DIEGO -- A bullpen is usually divided into halves.
The first half pitches with a lead. The second half pitches when the team is behind.
That observation, like most observations, is open to interpretation depending on the game, the score and how much work the relievers have been getting. But there is more truth than conjecture in it.
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In Tuesday’s 6-3 loss to the Padres, the Guardians trailed, 5-1, after two innings and never really closed on San Diego. After rookie right-hander Tyler Bibee left without recording an out in the fifth, manager Terry Francona called for Xzavion Curry, Cody Morris and Eli Morgan to finish the night’s work.
This wasn’t mop-up duty. It was keep the Padres’ bats quiet and maybe, just maybe, the Guardians could sneak back into the game. It didn’t happen, but it wasn’t the bullpen’s fault.
Curry, who entered with San Diego leading, 6-2, threw two scoreless innings. Morris, just off the injured list, made his 2023 debut with a scoreless seventh inning. Morgan followed with a scoreless eighth.
The right-handed Curry, a rookie, has been with the club since opening day. He has found a home in the pen because he can pitch two or more innings at a time, while protecting a lead, or covering innings to save the rest of the pen.
He’s 3-0 with a 2.36 ERA in 16 games. The Guardians are 5-11 in those games, but in 34 1/3 innings Curry has struck out 23, walked seven and allowed nine runs.
The 34 1/3 innings lead all Cleveland relievers.
“He pitches like a veteran,” said Francona after Tuesday’s loss. “He throws strikes and doesn’t beat himself.”
Curry has pitched two or more innings in 10 of his 16 appearances. Lefties are hitting .224 (13 for 58) and righties .242 (30 for 145) against him.
Morgan, in his second season in the pen since moving from the rotation, is having a strong season. He’s 2-1 with a 1.65 ERA with one save. In 24 games, covering 27 1/3 innings, he struck out 30.
The Guardians are 10-14 in games he’s appeared in. In the 10 wins, Morgan is 2-0 and has not allowed a run in 10 1/3 innings.
Morris was activated from the 60-day injured list on Sunday. He was injured early in spring training (right teres major muscle) and opened the year on the injured list.
Tuesday night he retired the Padres in order in the seventh. It was his first appearance in the big leagues since he threw two scoreless innings against the Yankees in Game 4 of the ALDS on Oct. 16.
“It felt great to be back out there,” said Morris, who made four rehab appearances at Class AA Akron and Class AAA Columbus. “The energy was really crazy in here tonight. "
There was a sellout crowd of over 40,000 at Petco Park on Tuesday night.
Morris was scheduled to make at least one more rehab appearance when the Guardians activated him. Their bullpen has been stressed because of 14-inning game Friday against the Astros.
“I’m here. I’m ready to go,” said Morris. “I felt great tonight and I’m really happy to be back.”
Morris can start or relieve, but the Guardians have decided to use him in the pen for now.
“Like I’ve said before, I had fun in the pen last year,” said Morris. “I just like the heartbeat you get coming out of the pen, it’s fun.”
It’s a heartbeat that stays the same no matter what half of the pen you’re on.
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