The Cleveland Guardians had a golden opportunity to at least tie the score in the eighth inning, but Chase DeLauter grounded into an inning-ending double play with one out and men on first and second, throwing away their best chance to do some damage and falling 1-0 to the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Wednesday night. The series is now tied, one win apiece.
Had the Guardians won the game, they could have sealed their ticket to the postseason with a Texas Rangers or Houston Astros loss. They were defeated, though, so they will have to wait, at least, another day.
Tough one tonight.#GuardsBall | #StandGuard pic.twitter.com/c37dKhnMWE
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) September 24, 2026
Guardians starter Foster Griffin bent, but did not break, on Wednesday, allowing 10 hits but just one run in six innings of work. He struck out seven and lowered his ERA to 3.60, but his offense just didn’t have it.
Red Sox’s starter Sonny Gray was magnificent, matching Griffin’s six frames but succeeding at keeping Cleveland completely off the scoreboard. He surrendered four hits and a walk, and while he struck out just three, he kept them off balance all night.
It was actually a scoreless game until the bottom of the sixth. Andruw Monasterio hit a clutch two-out single to drive in Jarren Duran with the only run of the game.
With the loss, Cleveland is now 82-76 and could potentially lose sole possession of the top spot in the AL Central depending on the Chicago White Sox’s result.
The Guardians’ bullpen was excellent, with Tim Herrin pitching in a scoreless frame with three strikeouts, and Matt Festa and Shawn Armstrong, the latter fresh off the injured list, teaming up to solve another inning.
The offense, however, was a problem on Wednesday. It combined for just five hits all night, none of them for extra bases. Outfielder Steven Kwan contributed two of them, and Jose Ramirez stole his 36th base of the season.
The series finale will take place on Thursday, starting at 6:45 pm ET. Ranger Suarez will take the ball for Boston, and Joey Cantillo will toe the rubber for Cleveland as the team keeps seeking its postseason ticket.
NEXT: Guardians Bringing Back A Familiar Face For Key Role
