The Cleveland Guardians continued their home dominance over the Los Angeles Angels on Monday night, cruising to a 7-2 victory that showcased both pitching excellence and offensive firepower. Rookie sensation Travis Bazzana, the first overall pick in the 2024 amateur draft, delivered the knockout blow with a two-run double in a decisive five-run third inning.
Left-hander Joey Cantillo was the star on the mound, tossing six scoreless innings while scattering five hits and striking out four to improve to 3-1 on the season. His command kept the Angels' hitters off balance all night, as he walked just one batter and lowered his ERA significantly in the process.
The Guardians struck first in the second inning when Brayan Rocchio greeted reliever Jose Fermin with an RBI single, putting Cleveland up 2-0 after opener Brent Suter was lifted early. But the real damage came in the third, when the Guardians sent 10 batters to the plate and took full advantage of four walks. David Fry drew a bases-loaded walk, Daniel Schneemann added a two-run single, and then Bazzana capped the rally with a line-drive double to center field that cleared the bases and made it 7-0.
The American League Central-leading Guardians improved to an incredible 28-4 against the Angels in Cleveland since the start of the 2014 season—a testament to their home-field advantage. Meanwhile, the Angels dropped their 16th game in their last 21 outings, continuing a rough stretch.
Kyle Manzardo and Fry each collected two hits for the Guardians, who drew a season-high 10 walks, including three by Rhys Hoskins. For the Angels, Nolan Schanuel and Jo Adell each had two hits, with Adell driving in a run on an eighth-inning single. Suter took the loss, falling to 1-2 after allowing two runs in just 1 2/3 innings, while Alek Manoah provided five scoreless innings of relief despite walking five batters.
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt missed his second straight game due to a viral infection but is expected back in the dugout Tuesday night. Bench coach Tony Arnerich again filled in as acting manager.
The series continues Tuesday night with Angels rookie right-hander Walbert Urena (1-3, 3.22 ERA) facing Guardians righty Slade Cecconi (2-4, 6.15).