HOUSTON – The Cleveland Guardians ended their 10-game losing streak with a 7-5 victory over the Houston Astros on Monday night, marking their first win since June 25th. This win followed a tough loss to the Detroit Tigers, which had gone into extra innings.
The pivotal moment in the game occurred in the sixth inning when the score was tied. With two outs and two runners on base, Brayan Rocchio hit a critical two-run double, propelling the Guardians ahead 6-4. The Astros weren’t finished, however, as Victor Caratini smacked a home run off Matt Festa in the bottom of the inning, narrowing Cleveland’s lead to just one run.
David Fry further secured the Guardians’ advantage with a ninth-inning homer, which provided much-needed insurance for the team. Closer Emmanuel Clase sealed the game with a perfect ninth inning, earning his 19th save.
Cleveland’s starting pitcher Tanner Bibee faced challenges, allowing four runs and four hits over 4 2/3 innings. Colton Gordon of the Astros gave up five runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. Notably, a moment of concern arose when Steven Kwan’s hit struck Gordon in the head, but he quickly recovered and continued to pitch following a brief checkup.
Key statistics from the game highlight the Guardians’ resilience, as they managed to win despite a lackluster performance with runners in scoring position, finishing 3 for 11 in such situations.
Looking ahead, the series continues Tuesday night with Astros pitcher Hunter Brown (9-3, 1.82 ERA) scheduled to face off against Guardians left-hander Joey Cantillo (1-0, 3.41).
This victory could signal a turning point for the Guardians as they look to build momentum in the coming games. The team showed determination and skill, demonstrating the competitive spirit that could help them regain their footing in the season.