The Cleveland Guardians had to fight and claw their way back in a very tight, closely contested game, but they managed to beat the Boston Red Sox 3-2 in their series opener at Fenway Park on Tuesday to retain the top spot of the AL Central at least for one more day. They are now 82-75 after getting their sixth straight win.
Cleveland can clinch a playoff berth as soon as Wednesday: their magic number to do so is two, and the magic number to win the division is five. There’s still work to be done.
First one in Beantown is ours!#GuardsBall | #GuardiWWWWWWins pic.twitter.com/W8RvqxbyrV
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) September 23, 2026
Parker Messick labored and had to leave after five innings, but he kept the Red Sox to just one run, and the Guardians will definitely take it. He surrendered five hits and issued one walk, striking out five and lowering his ERA to 2.55.
The Guardians landed the first blow in the second inning. Angel Martinez opened the frame with a double, and went on to score thanks to David Fry’s RBI single. A few batters later, Brayan Rocchio hit for a double play with the bases loaded, which threw some cold water on the budding rally but at least brought in the second run for Cleveland, scored by Fry.
In the bottom of the inning, Andruw Monasterio grounded out, and Adley Rutschman took advantage of the chance to touch home from third base to cut the Guardians’ lead to just one run.
The Guardians’ pitching staff held Boston to one run until the eighth frame. There, pinch-hitter Mickey Gasper greeted new pitcher Hunter Gaddis with a solo homer to tie the game at two runs. The Guardians, however, would get the last laugh of the night.
In the top of the ninth, Nathaniel Lowe hit a sac fly to drive in Chase DeLauter with the go-ahead run. The Red Sox would then get a good look at red-hot closer Cade Smith, as he dominated en route to his 40th save of the season.
The Guardians didn’t have a good day with runners in scoring position, going 1-for-12 in that specific situation. They racked up 12 hits but scored just three runs.
Martinez went 3-for-4 with a run scored, and DeLauter had a 2-for-4 day with a run. Both young hitters hit a double in the game. After Messick, the Guardians’ bullpen combined to limit the home team to just one run in four frames, with Tim Herrin, Craig Yoho, Erik Sabrowski, Gaddis, and Smith pitching in.
The series will continue on Wednesday at 7:10 pm ET with the second game. Foster Griffin will face Sonny Gray.
NEXT: Guardians Facing Tough Decision With Tanner Bibee
