The Cleveland Guardians (58-36) defeated the Tampa Bay Rays (47-48) 4-2 on Saturday evening at Tropicana Field. With the win, Cleveland has still not lost four games in a row all season long.
Yandy Diaz hit a RBI double in the third to give the Rays a 1-0 lead. Cleveland answered with two in the fifth to take a 2-1 lead, but the Rays capitalized on a error by Guardians shortstop Daniel Schneemann to tie the game 2-2 in the bottom of the fifth. Then in the eighth inning, it was Johnkensy Noel hitting a two-run homer to give Cleveland the lead they would need to win the game.
Zack Litell allowed two earned runs - one of them earned - on six hits while striking out three and walking two in six innings of work. Garrett Cleavinger (5-2, 3.52) took the loss after allowing the Noel home run in the eighth inning.
The Rays will now look to win the rubber game against the Guardians when the two teams meet in the final game before the All-Star Break on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1:40 PM - pregame coverage begins with Chris Adams-Wall hosting This Week In Rays Baseball at high noon on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES