The Cleveland Guardians managed to fend off a talented New York Yankees offense on Tuesday night, taking Game 1 of the series 9-4 at Yankee Stadium. Joey Cantillo didn’t give them much length, but the bullpen was magnificent to lock down the much-needed win, and the offense contributed 12 hits.
The Guardians are now 35-27 on the season, firmly at the top of the AL Central. The offense put on a show against the always tough Cam Schlittler, who was chased after allowing five runs (four earned) in 4.1 innings.
Cantillo opened the game with two scoreless frames, but ended up conceding four runs on six hits and three walks in four innings. He struck out four and wound up with a no-decision.
So back!#GuardsBall | #GuardiWins pic.twitter.com/HtrgSgb2U0
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) June 3, 2026
The Guardians opened the scoring in the third frame. With one out, Patrick Bailey hit a triple and scored from third base after Brayan Rocchio hit a sacrifice fly.
The Yankees, playing without the banged-up Aaron Judge, would flip the score in the bottom of the inning, though. Ben Rice singled on a sharp line drive, and Paul Goldschmidt brought him home with a two-run shot.
Jose Ramirez led off the top of the fourth with a double, and, after a flyout by Chase DeLauter, Kyle Manzardo hit a two-run homer to flip the score again in the Guardians’ favor. It was 3-2 Cleveland at that point.
Goldschmidt, however, would find the bases loaded in the bottom of the fourth and would put the Yankees ahead again with a two-run single that scored Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Jose Caballero.
Travis Bazzana tied the game in the top of the fifth with a sac fly that plated Steven Kwan, and Ramirez put Cleveland ahead with a double that brought home Bailey.
In the seventh, Rocchio virtually manufactured a run all by himself. He singled to open the inning, stole second, then third, and scored on another double by Ramirez. It didn’t look like one, as it was a chopper down the line that stayed fair with a bit of luck, but hey, they all count the same.
The top of the eighth brought three more runs for the Guardians, all driven in by Bazzana’s bases-clearing double. The rookie, who is playing like a superstar, went 1-for-4 with four RBI.
Travis Bazzana breaks it open for the Guardians!#GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/l69ls4oYy1
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) June 3, 2026
The Guardians’ bullpen needed to be at the top of their game to keep the lead when the game was close and secure the win after Cantillo’s abbreviated start. Colin Holderman, Tim Herrin, Hunter Gaddis, Shawn Armstrong, and Matt Festa each tossed a scoreless frame in an impressive effort.
Ramirez hit three doubles and drove in two runs, and Manzardo and Kwan each racked up two hits.
The Guardians will try to win the second of the series on Wednesday, when two aces lock horns: Gavin Williams and Gerrit Cole.
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