The Cleveland Guardians defeated the Los Angeles Angels 4-3 on Wednesday night, rallying in the ninth inning for their seventh consecutive victory.
The Cleveland Guardians (68-66) extended their winning streak to seven games with a 4-3 comeback victory over the Los Angeles Angels (52-82) on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. Trailing 3-2 entering the ninth, Steven Kwan tied the game with a double and Travis Bazzana followed with a sacrifice fly to complete the rally.
Guardians’ Ninth-Inning Rally
Cleveland’s offense struggled for most of the night against Angels pitching, but the Guardians broke through in the final frame. Steven Kwan, who had five hits in Tuesday’s 8-6, 10-inning win, delivered again with a game-tying double. Travis Bazzana then drove in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly, giving Cleveland its seventh straight win. The Guardians now sit second in the AL Central at 68-66, firmly in the wild-card picture.
Angels’ Strong Start Fades
The Angels took a 3-2 lead into the ninth and appeared poised to snap a two-game skid. But the bullpen faltered, and Los Angeles dropped its second straight to Cleveland in heartbreaking fashion. The Angels, fifth in the AL West at 52-82, have now lost two consecutive games, both in the late innings. Despite the loss, the Angels showed fight, but their late-inning woes continue to plague them.
Turning Point
The decisive moment came in the top of the ninth when Steven Kwan stepped to the plate with the Guardians trailing by one. His double tied the game, and Travis Bazzana’s sacrifice fly moments later gave Cleveland the lead. The Angels could not respond in the bottom half, sealing the Guardians’ seventh straight victory.
Key Performers
- Steven Kwan (Guardians): Hit the game-tying double in the ninth, adding to his five-hit performance from Tuesday.
- Travis Bazzana (Guardians): Drove in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly in the ninth.
- José Ramírez (Guardians): In Tuesday’s win, he drove in five runs with three doubles, continuing his hot streak.
What It Means
The Guardians return home to face the Kansas City Royals on Friday, August 28, looking to extend their streak to eight games. The Angels host the Philadelphia Phillies on the same day, hoping to bounce back from two straight tough losses. Both teams are dealing with significant injuries, but Cleveland’s momentum and timely hitting have made them a dangerous team in the AL playoff race.
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