The Cleveland Guardians continued their hot start to the season on Tuesday night, defeating the Boston Red Sox 4-1 to extend their winning streak to five games. Tyler Freeman and Bryan Rocchio drove in runs in the seventh inning to give the Guardians their first lead of the game, and José Ramírez added a solo homer in the eighth.
Tanner Houck started for the Red Sox and allowed three runs on five hits in six innings, but reliever Brennan Bernardino took the loss after giving up a sacrifice fly to Rocchio. The Guardians improved to 17-6 on the season, while the Red Sox fell to 11-12.
The Guardians got on the board in the seventh inning against Houck, who had thrown a three-hit shutout against them last week. Will Brennan doubled to lead off the inning and scored on Freeman’s single up the middle. Freeman stole second before Houck walked Estevan Florial and Red Sox Manager Alex Cora brought in Bernardino, who walked pinch-hitter David Fry and gave up Rocchio’s sac fly.
Ramírez connected leading off the eighth inning against Cam Booser for his fourth homer of the season. The Guardians’ bullpen was strong once again, with Scott Barlow, Hunter Gaddis, and Emmanuel Clase combining to allow just one hit over the final three innings.
The Red Sox had a chance to tie the game in the ninth inning, but Clase struck out the side to earn his seventh save of the season. Wilyer Abreu homered for the Red Sox, who were held in check for six innings by Ben Lively. Making his debut at Progressive Field, Lively allowed one run and five hits in 6 1/3 innings. He walked none and struck out seven.
The Guardians will look to extend their winning streak to six games when they host the Red Sox again on Wednesday night. Carrasco (1-1) will start for the Guardians, while the Red Sox have yet to announce their starter.
