Cleveland Guardians Post Third-Worst Offensive June Despite Strong Pitching

The Cleveland Guardians endured one of the worst offensive months in franchise history in June, going 9-15 with a .206 batting average, tied for the third-worst in a June with at least 13 games played. Manager Stephen Vogt emphasized the need for the team to relax and focus on scoring more, as the Guardians have struggled to produce runs, scoring in only two of the last 40 innings and being shut out three times on their recent homestand. Despite the offensive woes, the pitching staff remained solid with a 3.79 ERA in June, ranking eighth-lowest in the majors. Key players Jose Ramirez and Steven Kwan maintained strong batting averages of .309 and .295 respectively, but the rest of the lineup has been underperforming, with no other everyday player batting above .250. Catcher Bo Naylor, expected to bounce back this season, has struggled with a .168 average and a prolonged slump, while outfielders Lane Thomas and David Fry have faced injuries and slow starts. The Guardians, currently on a four-game losing streak and with a 40-42 record, are 2 1/2 games out of a wild-card spot after starting June above .500 and in the postseason position.