Steven Kwan delivered a game-tying double in the ninth inning, and Travis Bazzana followed with a sacrifice fly as the Cleveland Guardians rallied for a 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday.
Cleveland erased an early three-run deficit to extend its winning streak to seven games and complete a three-game sweep in Anaheim. The Angels carried a 3-2 advantage into the ninth but suffered their 10th loss of the season when leading after eight innings.
Los Angeles starter Grayson Rodriguez allowed only one run in 5 2/3 innings. However, Cleveland gradually closed the gap before scoring twice in the ninth against the Angels’ bullpen.
Angels Build Early Three-Run Lead
Los Angeles took advantage of a difficult start for Cleveland left-hander Joey Cantillo.
Zach Neto opened the bottom of the first with a single. Vaughn Grissom later hit a one-out dribbler that Cantillo fielded, but the pitcher threw the ball into right field.
The error allowed Neto to score and gave the Angels a 1-0 lead.
Cantillo struggled with his command again in the second. He walked the bases loaded with one out before hitting Neto with a pitch, forcing home another run.
Mike Trout followed with a sacrifice fly to extend the advantage to 3-0.
Despite the early problems, Cantillo settled down and prevented Los Angeles from adding to its lead. He completed six innings while allowing only two hits.
Cantillo issued a career-high seven walks, but the Angels could not turn those opportunities into additional runs.
Rodriguez Keeps Cleveland Quiet
Rodriguez gave the Angels a strong performance on the other side.
The right-hander allowed seven hits but limited Cleveland to one run over 5 2/3 innings. He struck out four and walked one.
Cleveland finally broke through in the fifth.
Brayan Rocchio doubled and advanced to third on Kwan’s groundout. Bazzana then lifted a sacrifice fly that brought Rocchio home and reduced the Angels’ lead to 3-1.
Rodriguez prevented further damage before departing in the sixth.
The Angels still held a two-run advantage, but Cleveland’s pitching staff kept Los Angeles from adding any insurance runs.
Guardians Pull Within One
Cleveland continued to apply pressure in the eighth.
Bazzana started the rally with a bunt single. Jo Adell then walked before Nathaniel Lowe dropped an RBI single into left-center.
The hit cut the deficit to 3-2 and put the Guardians within one run for the first time since the opening inning.
Hunter Gaddis entered and retired the final two batters in the bottom of the eighth. His work became significant moments later when Cleveland completed its comeback.
Gaddis earned the win and improved to 2-3.
Kwan Delivers in the Ninth
The Guardians entered the ninth needing one run to extend the game and two to take their first lead.
Chase DeLauter, who had dealt with left hamstring tightness during the week, started the decisive rally with a one-out single against Ryan Watson.
Petey Halpin entered as a pinch-runner for DeLauter. Rocchio followed with another single, moving Halpin to second.
Kwan then drove a ground-rule double to right field. Halpin scored to tie the game at 3-3 while Rocchio advanced to third.
That brought Bazzana to the plate with an opportunity to put Cleveland ahead.
Bazzana delivered a sacrifice fly, allowing Rocchio to score the go-ahead run and giving the Guardians a 4-3 advantage.
Watson took the loss and fell to 1-1.
Sabrowski Finishes the Sweep
The Angels had one final opportunity against Erik Sabrowski in the bottom of the ninth.
Los Angeles put a runner on second and turned to its bench in an effort to tie the game.
Sabrowski struck out pinch-hitter Travis d’Arnaud and then induced pinch-hitter Oswald Peraza to pop up to second base, ending the game.
The scoreless inning gave Sabrowski his second major league save and his first since 2024.
Cleveland completed the sweep after trailing by three runs early and by one entering the ninth.
Angels Let Another Late Lead Slip Away
The Angels had opportunities to create a larger cushion but could not capitalize after the second inning.
Cantillo’s seven walks gave Los Angeles several chances, yet the Angels managed only two hits during his six innings. All three of their runs came in the first two frames.
Cleveland took advantage of that lack of additional offense.
The Guardians scored once in the fifth, once in the eighth and twice in the ninth to complete the comeback. Bazzana played a major role, driving in two runs with sacrifice flies while also starting the eighth-inning rally with a bunt single.
Kwan provided the biggest hit with his ninth-inning double.
For Los Angeles, the defeat wasted another effective start from Rodriguez and added to the team’s problems protecting late leads. The Angels have now lost 10 games this season despite entering the ninth inning ahead.
Cleveland, meanwhile, left Anaheim with seven consecutive wins and a three-game sweep.
Up Next
The Guardians have Thursday off before opening a series in Kansas City on Friday night. Right-hander Tanner Bibee is scheduled to start with a 5-13 record and a 3.97 ERA.
The Angels also return to action Friday night in Anaheim. Left-hander Reid Detmers, who is 4-8 with a 3.62 ERA, is scheduled to face Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Andrew Painter, who enters at 3-8 with a 6.04 ERA.