Matthew Boyd, Jhonkensy Noel lead Guardians over Cubs

Veteran Matthew Boyd allowed one run while pitching into the sixth inning of his season debut, and rookie Jhonkensy Noel hit a tiebreaking solo homer in the bottom of the sixth as the host Cleveland Guardians beat the Chicago Cubs 2-1 on Tuesday night.

The 33-year-old Boyd, who was signed by the club June 29, made his first start since June 2023 after recovering from Tommy John surgery. Making 80 pitches, Boyd allowed only a second-inning run, three hits, struck out six, did not walk a batter and retired the final nine he faced over 5 1/3 strong innings.

In the bottom of the sixth, Noel, who clubbed a three-run homer and a solo shot during Cleveland's 9-8 win in Monday's series opener, broke a 1-1 tie when he drove a hanging pitch from Drew Smyly (3-6) into the left field fan porch. The burly outfielder has homered nine times in 32 games this season for the AL Central-leading Guardians, who have won four consecutive contests after losing seven in a row.

Cleveland relievers Pedro Avila (4-1), Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis and All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase (37 saves), pitching for a fourth straight day, combined to allow just two hits by the Cubs, who had won five straight entering this three-game series. Chicago stranded six runners and fanned nine times.

The Cubs opened the scoring in the second when Nico Hoerner doubled, stole third and scored on Dansby Swanson's sacrifice fly to right field.

The Guardians tied the contest in the bottom of the second thanks to infield singles from Andres Gimenez, Noel and Brayan Rocchio against Javier Assad, who yielded just that run, five hits and two walks, but made 85 pitches over just 4 2/3 innings.

It was the sixth time in his last seven starts that Assad failed to complete five innings.

Hoerner had two hits but made the final out in a rundown between second and third on a Swanson chopper to Jose Ramirez.

--Field Level Media