Gavin Williams didn’t have his best night, and the offense was limited to just four hits as the Cleveland Guardians lost for the third straight time on Tuesday, 5-3, at the hands of the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.
Stephen Vogt’s team falls under .500, with 18 wins and 19 losses on the season. The Chicago White Sox could take over first place in the division if they win their game later on Tuesday. Such is life in the suddenly ultra-competitive AL Central, where all five teams have a chance.
Had it until we didn't.#GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/PJWLf0kJy2
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) May 6, 2026
Williams was able to pitch six innings, but he allowed five runs on eight hits and two walks, striking out seven. He was uncharacteristically hittable on Tuesday, and two of those hits happened to leave the yard. His ERA is now 3.28.
The home club opened the scoring in the bottom of the first, with Salvador Perez punching a two-run single that drove in Maikel Garcia and Bobby Witt Jr. The Guardians, however, would flip the score in the fourth.
With Jose Ramirez and Kyle Manzardo on board, Rhys Hoskins belted a three-run homer that gave the Guardians a 3-2 lead. Williams, however, wasn’t at his best and couldn’t keep it up for long.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Royals went ahead thanks to a two-run shot by Michael Massey, bringing in Isaac Collins with him.
Collins, by the way, would extend Kansas City’s lead to two runs with a solo shot of his own in the bottom of the sixth against Williams. Colin Holderman pitched two scoreless, hitless innings to give the top bullpen guys a rest, so there was, at least, a silver lining in the middle of the disappointing night.
The Guardians’ offense had another rough showing despite Hoskins’ third homer of the year. They logged just four hits and a single walk, and five baserunners all night just won’t win you many ballgames.
Cleveland will need to be better on Wednesday as they try to win the third game of the series. Joey Cantillo will take the ball for the Guardians and will face the Royals’ ace, Cole Ragans.
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