The Cleveland Guardians earned their third straight win on Wednesday afternoon, beating the Los Angeles Angels 4-2 to secure their first sweep of the 2026 campaign. Parker Messick was his typical effective self and pitched 6.2 innings, allowing just two runs.
The suddenly streaking Guardians will now enjoy a day off on Thursday after playing 13 straight days. They will do so with an AL Central-leading 24-21 record.
The boys are getting hot! 🥵#GuardsBall | #GuardiWWWins pic.twitter.com/PTomSjOhim
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) May 13, 2026
Messick came one out shy of completing seven innings, surrendering a couple of runs on four hits and three walks. He struck out seven batters, and his ERA is now a rock-solid 2.35.
Manager Stephen Vogt decided to give struggling leadoff hitter Steven Kwan a day off, presumably to clear his head in the middle of a deep slump, and Angel Martinez sure took advantage of the opportunity with a leadoff home run.
Angel is tormenting the Angels.#GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/jTvAT9WKX7
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) May 13, 2026
David Fry hit into a fielder’s choice, driving in Jose Ramirez with the Guardians’ second run in the first frame. Then, in the bottom of the third, Martinez came around to score on Chase DeLauter’s sac fly.
In the top of the fifth, Zach Neto found Oswald Peraza on base and deposited a Messick cutter into the left field stands for a two-run shot. Just like that, the Guardians’ lead was cut to just one run.
The Guardians would restore a two-run lead an inning later, in the sixth. Daniel Schneemann drove in Rhys Hoskins with a single, and the game was now 4-2. That would be the final score.
The bullpen helped get the Guardians to the finish line. Matt Festa got the last out of the seventh frame, Erik Sabrowski took care of the eighth, and Cade Smith got his MLB-leading 13th save after striking out the side in the ninth.
Martinez homered and scored two runs, DeLauter logged two hits and an RBI, and Travis Bazzana went 2-for-4. Jose Ramirez walked and stole two bases to extend his MLB lead in the category, with 18.
Cleveland will rest on Thursday and return to play on Friday for a weekend series against the Cincinnati Reds at home.
NEXT: Guardians Made 2 Roster Moves On Wednesday
