TOM WITHERS

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland Guardians pitcher Slade Cecconi has not given up a hit to the Kansas City Royals through seven innings on Monday night in a matchup with AL wild-card implications.

Making his career-high 20th start and first against Kansas City, Cecconi has held the Royals in check during the opener of a key four-game series.

Cleveland is leading 9-0.

He's bidding to throw the first no-hitter in the majors this season and trying to end Cleveland's no-hitter drought dating to 1981.

Cecconi has struck out three and walked three while throwing 91 pitches, 53 for strikes. He threw a career-high 107 pitches against the Athletics on July 18. Cecconi's only professional complete game was a six-inning losing effort for Triple-A Reno during a doubleheader on May 10, 2023.

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