The Cleveland Guardians entered the fourth inning with a chance to get shut out three times in a row for the first time since 1991.

That didn’t happen, as Cleveland erupted for six runs to secure a 6-1 lead over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Unfortunately, that lead was not secure, as the Cards scored eight unanswered runs to win 9-6 at Progressive Field.

With three losses in a row, the Guardians have finished the first half of the season with a 40-41.

FIRST-PITCH BLUES

Maybe the Cleveland Guardians pitchers should always throw the first pitch into the dirt. Brendan Donovan hit the first pitch from Slade Cecconi out of the park.

That’s the sixth time that has happened to Cleveland pitchers, and we’re only halfway through the season!

INNING IV: A NEW HOPE

Kyle Manzardo broke Cleveland’s scoring drought with a solo homer to right-center field off St. Louis starter Miles Mikolas.

Daniel Schneemann’s groundout scored Carlos Santana to give Cleveland a 2-1 lead.

Nolan Jones doubled to score Lane Thomas, and Gabriel Arias bashed a two-run shot into the left-field bleachers.

Steven Kwan tripled to score Austin Hedges to complete the six-run outburst.

CARDINAL COMEBACK

Alec Burleson cut the Guardians’ lead to 6-3 with a two-run single in the fifth.

St. Louis exploded for five runs in a sixth inning to grab an 8-6 lead. Nolan Gorman (no relation) hit an RBI single and scored on a two-run double during the rally.

Willson Contreras tacked on an extra run in the Cardinals’ ninth with a 430-foot homer off Kolby Allard.

Cleveland will try to salvage the final game of the series at 12:05 p.m. on Roku.  Logan Allen (5-5) will start for the Guardians against the Cardinals’ Matthew Liberatore (5-6).