Joey Cantillo threw six scoreless innings and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Los Angeles Angels 7-2 on Monday night in Cleveland.
Brayan Rocchio put Cleveland ahead 2-0 with a single in the second inning, then the Guardians broke it open with five runs in the third. David Fry drew a bases-loaded walk, Daniel Schneemann lined a two-run single and Travis Bazzana finished the inning with a two-run double to center field. Bazzana, the first pick in the 2024 amateur draft, was part of a night in which the Guardians drew a season-high 10 walks and kept piling pressure on an Angels pitching staff that never settled in.
Cantillo allowed five hits, walked one batter and struck out four. The Angels opened with Brent Suter, who was lifted after 1 2/3 innings, and Jose Fermin came on in the second. Cleveland kept the line moving by working counts and taking free passes, with Rhys Hoskins drawing three walks and Kyle Manzardo and Fry each finishing with two hits.
The result fit the recent history between the teams. The Guardians improved to 28-4 against the Angels in Cleveland since the start of the 2014 season, while Los Angeles lost for the 16th time in its last 21 games. Nolan Schanuel had two hits for the Angels, and Jo Adell also had two hits and drove in a run with an eighth-inning single.
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt missed his second straight game because of a viral infection, with bench coach Tony Arnerich serving as acting manager. Cleveland, the AL Central leader, opened the three-game series with a clean, lopsided win, and Tuesday night brings another matchup with Angels rookie right-hander Walbert Urena set to face right-hander Slade Cecconi in the second game.
