Guardians ratchet up the offense, top Rays

Josh Naylor's two-RBI single highlighted a three-run sixth and rookie Joey Cantillo tossed five scoreless innings as the Cleveland Guardians beat the visiting Tampa Bay Rays 6-1 on Saturday night.

After totaling three runs while losing the first two of this four-game set, the AL Central-leading Guardians (85-64) matched that output in one inning thanks to Naylor, who had two hits on the night. Meanwhile, Cantillo (2-3), who threw 6 2/3 perfect innings against the Chicago White Sox on Monday, yielded three hits, a walk, and struck out six against the Rays (73-76).

Junior Caminero had three hits and drove home the Rays' only run with a double against Hunter Gaddis in the top of the eighth.

Tampa Bay appeared to open the scoring in the fifth when Josh Lowe was ruled safe at home on Jose Siri's single to center, seemingly getting under Austin Hedges' tag on Lane Thomas' throw. However, the Guardians challenged the call and it was overturned.

An inning later, some shoddy Rays defense allowed Cleveland to go up 1-0. Tyler Alexander (6-5), Tampa Bay's second pitcher of the night after Drew Rasmussen allowed only a hit during the first two innings, flipped wildly to first on a bunt by Andres Gimenez, who ended up at second base. Jhonkensy Noel then reached on third baseman Caminero's fielding error. A failed diving attempt by Rays right fielder Jonny DeLuca on a liner by Brayan Rocchio resulted in three bases for the Guardians' shortstop, though Noel was thrown out at the plate to conclude the play.

Cleveland broke things open in the sixth against Alexander, who walked Angel Martinez, allowed a double to Thomas and intentionally walked Jose Ramirez. Then with the infield drawn in, Naylor grounded a single to right-center field, scoring two. David Fry followed with a sacrifice fly for the Guardians, who also got back-to-back solo homers from Thomas and Jose Ramirez in the eighth inning.

The Guardians played their second straight game without All-Star Steven Kwan, who is dealing with a back issue.

--Field Level Media