Rookie Parker Messick making MLB history, Guardians into true believers originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Isaac Paredes opened the fifth inning Tuesday night with a single to left field. Yainer Diaz followed with a one-out double.
Believe it or not, Houston Astros hitters linked quality at-bats off Cleveland Guardians rookie Parker Messick, ending with three runs on Brice Matthews’ two-run single and Yordan Alvarez’s two-out, RBI single.
As one of the franchise’s top prospects to believe in, Messick uncharacteristically yielded three earned runs on six hits in five innings at Progressive Field.
Guardians believe in rookie P Parker Messick
Through his opening four starts this season, Messick posted an earned-run average of 1.05 with 25 strikeouts and only seven bases on balls in 25.2 innings.
Those are elite numbers that can make believers out of any front office.
In a hurry.
Over the past decade, Messick became one of two pitchers to record a sub-.215 ERA during his opening 65 career innings pitched. Pittsburgh Pirates‘ Paul Skenes, the 2025 NL Cy Young award recipient, compiled a 1.90 ERA, while Messick was 2.07.
In his previous start last Thursday, Messick carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning before losing the bid one batter into the frame.
The 25-year-old entered Tuesday having allowed just three earned runs this season. The Astros matched that total in the fifth inning Tuesday, spiking Messick’s ERA to 1.76.
The Guardians (14-11) rallied to score six eighth-inning runs to secure an 8-5 victory over the visiting Astros (9-16).
One inning aside, Messick continues to be a player the Guardians believe in.