Gabriel Arias, CJ Kayfus help Guardians split twin bill with Cubs

Gabriel Arias' RBI single highlighted a three-run eighth inning for the Cleveland Guardians, who rallied to beat the visiting Chicago Cubs 6-5 in the nightcap of a Sunday doubleheader.

The Guardians overcame deficits of 3-0 and 4-3 to wrangle a split with the Cubs, who won the opener 1-0. CJ Kayfus went 2-for-2 with a pinch-hit RBI single in the sixth to make it 3-1. With one out in the eighth, he rallied from an 0-2 hole to smack his first home run of the season to right field off Jacob Webb (0-1) and tie the contest 4-4.

Chase DeLauter followed with a single, and Rhys Hoskins walked to bring up Arias, who lined a shot into left field to score DeLauter.

Cleveland reliever Cade Smith gave up a run on two walks and a hit in the ninth. Ian Happ's single cut the lead to one, but Smith got Carson Kelly looking to earn his third save of the season and give the Guardians their second win in the three-game series.

Chicago used the long ball to get up early. Matt Shaw led off the Cubs third with his first of the season.

That was the only run Cleveland starter Parker Messick gave up over five innings. He allowed two hits and three walks while striking out six.

Dansby Swanson hit his first homer of the season, a two-run shot off Matt Festa, in the sixth inning. After the Guardians tied it with a three-run sixth, Happ's lead-off homer in the eighth off Shawn Armstrong (1-0) put the Cubs back ahead.

Cleveland chased Cubs starter Shota Imanaga after Steven Kwan started the sixth with a double. Ben Brown relieved Imanaga but gave up a walk to Angel Martinez. One out later, Kayfus singled and DeLauter hit a sacrifice fly to make it 3-2. After Hoskins walked, Arias singled up the middle to score Kayfus and tie the game.

Arias went 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

Imanaga allowed just one run in five-plus innings, giving up three hits and a walk while striking out four.

Webb was charged with all three eighth-inning runs, giving up three hits and a walk in a third of an inning. Despite allowing the go-ahead homer, Armstrong got the win, striking out two in 1 1/3 innings.

--Field Level Media