Guardians Manage One Hit In Sunday’s Loss To Cubs

Easter Sunday at Progressive Field had all the makings of a classic pitching duel. What it did not have was much offense from the Cleveland Guardians.

The Cubs edged Cleveland 1-0 in the first game of Sunday’s doubleheader, with Miguel Amaya’s eighth-inning single proving to be the only run either team would need. It was a frustrating result for a Guardians offense that had multiple opportunities to break through but could not deliver when it mattered most.

Slade Cecconi was outstanding. The right-hander delivered six shutout innings, surrendering just one hit while issuing one walk. It was exactly the kind of start the Guardians needed and exactly what Stephen Vogt was looking for after sending Cecconi a clear message heading into the weekend about trusting himself and going out there to compete. Cecconi did all of that. The offense simply could not back him up.

Slade Cecconi, Filthy 74mph Curveball. 😷 pic.twitter.com/xv0QclRKNc

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 5, 2026

Edward Cabrera was equally dominant on the other side, allowing just one hit over five and two-thirds innings with four strikeouts. Cabrera came into the game riding a one-hit performance against the Angels in his previous start, and he picked up right where he left off.

Cleveland’s best chance came in the sixth inning after loading the bases against Cabrera. CJ Kayfus broke an 0-11 slump with a leadoff double to right field, his first hit of the season, and Steven Kwan moved him to third with a sacrifice bunt. But Chase DeLauter’s chopper to second baseman Nico Hoerner resulted in Kayfus being thrown out at the plate.

Nico Hoerner throws to Miguel Amayafor to get out CJ Kayfus at home in the bottom of the 6th pic.twitter.com/fDZ4oyLfbN

— Cubs Highlights (@Cubs_Highlights) April 5, 2026

That sequence told the story of the game. Cleveland kept finding ways to put pressure on the Cubs and kept finding ways to come up empty.

It is the second shutout loss in the first nine games for Cleveland, a team that was held scoreless in 15 games all of last season. The offense that started the year so promisingly is going to need to find its footing again heading into game two.

Parker Messick takes the mound for the nightcap against Cubs lefty Shota Imanaga at 4:30 p.m. The Guardians will need to be better with runners in scoring position if they want to salvage something from this Easter Sunday.

One hit is not going to get it done.