The Cleveland Guardians did not need much offense on Friday night at Progressive Field. Four runs in the first inning turned out to be more than enough.
Cleveland held off the Boston Red Sox 4-3 in a game that showcased exactly what this team does better than almost anyone else in baseball. Score early, pitch deep into the game, and let the bullpen close it out. The Guardians moved to 33-25 on the season and maintained their lead atop the American League Central with the victory.
The organization celebrated the win on social media after the final out.
“Friday night dub! #GuardsBall #GuardiWWins,” the Guardians posted.
Friday night dub!#GuardsBall | #GuardiWWins pic.twitter.com/I8CUZcIEBB
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) May 30, 2026
Slade Cecconi took the mound for Cleveland and cruised through the first four innings before running into trouble in the fifth. The right-hander surrendered three earned runs on four consecutive hits, including an RBI single by Marcelo Mayer and a run scoring double by Caleb Durbin. Jarren Duran’s sacrifice fly cut the Cleveland lead to one and ended Cecconi’s night after 69 pitches. On the evening, Cecconi went 4.1 innings allowing 7 hits and 3 earned runs while striking out 3.
The bullpen took it from there and was outstanding. Colin Holderman, Tim Herrin, Shawn Armstrong, and Hunter Gaddis combined to hold Boston off the scoreboard across 4.2 innings, allowing just three hits and striking out two. Holderman earned the win, moving to 3-0 in 16 appearances this season. Gaddis continued his recent run of strong outings, throwing a clean inning and extending what has been a very encouraging stretch for the right hander.
Cade Smith closed it out in the ninth, striking out the side for his major league leading 20th save of the season.
On the offensive side, Chase DeLauter went 2-4, Kyle Manzardo went 2-4, and Rhys Hoskins went 1-4 with an RBI. Angel Martinez went 1-4 with an RBI as well. The lineup did not pile up a lot of hits after the first inning against Brayan Bello, who threw six scoreless innings of relief for Boston after taking over from Samaniego, scattering four hits and striking out four. Cleveland put the leadoff hitter on base in both the fourth and fifth innings but could not push across another run against Bello.
They did not need to. Four runs, a dominant bullpen, and Cade Smith on the mound in the ninth. That is a formula that has been working all season long for this ball club.
The series continues Saturday afternoon at Progressive Field with Parker Messick taking the mound for Cleveland against Boston’s Sonny Gray.
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