(Photo credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images)

The Cleveland Guardians' four-series winning streak ended Sunday with a loss at the Kansas City Royals, who claimed two of the three games between American League Central Division foes.

No rest is in store, however, as the Guardians host the Colorado Rockies in a three-game set beginning Monday.

Cleveland right-hander Slade Cecconi (5-4, 3.76 ERA) takes on Colorado righty Bradley Blalock (1-2, 8.67), seeking to pull his team back to .500 on the season.

'This is a tough stretch, coming out of the All-Star break and a quick trip to Kansas City, then going back home,' Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. 'But we'll be ready to go.'

Cecconi has only faced the Rockies once, working four innings and allowing two earned runs in a no-decision while with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2023. He went 2-8 in two seasons with Arizona before his turnaround in 2025.

The third-year major leaguer has been consistently solid over his last four starts, pitching at least six innings in each. Cecconi is 2-1 with a 3.95 ERA since July 4, going a career-high 8 1/3 innings in a win over the Athletics on July 18.

'There are a lot of firsts happening for me this year, which is awesome,' Cecconi said. 'I think I did everything I could to take care of my body to prepare. Sometimes you throw a little bit less (between starts) or do a little bit less work physically to get your body ready. It's all something to learn from.'

There is no time to waste as the Guardians fell 3 1/2 games behind in the race for the final AL wild-card spot, currently shared by the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers. There are 57 games remaining, the next three against the team with the worst record in baseball.

'It's too far out to be looking at that,' Cleveland designated hitter David Fry said. 'We just have to show up every day and move on, regardless of results. Just keep our head down and try to win every game we can.'

The Rockies played some of their best baseball this year last week, winning two straight over the St. Louis Cardinals and their series opener in Baltimore. The bottom fell out the last two days, however, as the Orioles blasted them 18-0 and 5-1.

With an overall record of 27-78, Colorado appreciates any positives it can achieve.

First baseman Warming Bernabel, who made his big-league debut Saturday, provided one Sunday when he belted his initial homer. The solo shot made the 23-year-old from Bani in the Dominican Republic 2-for-6 in two games.

'Any time you can get a guy with his first homer, it's a good day,' Rockies interim manager Warren Schaeffer said. 'Really happy for him. That's cool. The guys all loved it, too.'

Bernabel batted .301 in 75 games with Triple-A Albuquerque to earn the promotion. He now will share the ballpark with perhaps the most famous Bani product in the majors, seven-time All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez of the Guardians.

'It's a dream come true, something I've dreamt about since I was little,' Bernabel said through an interpreter. 'Once the game starts, I think every ball is going to be hit to me. That's my mindset.'

Blalock is coming off a win over the St. Louis Cardinals last Tuesday when he gave up two runs in 5 1/3 innings. He pitches to contact, only striking out one across both of his last two starts, but has a 2.45 ERA in them.

This will be Blalock's first appearance against Cleveland.

--Field Level Media