Guardians score 6 runs in 2nd inning and beat sloppy Red Sox 8-1 to prevent series sweep

By: Maureen Mullen, The Associated Press Posted: 9:07 PM CDT Wednesday, Sep. 3, 2025 Last Modified: 9:28 PM CDT Wednesday, Sep. 3, 2025

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BOSTON (AP) — Gabriel Arias hit a two-run homer that sparked a six-run second inning, and the Cleveland Guardians routed the sloppy Boston Red Sox 8-1 on Wednesday night to avoid a three-game sweep.

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Steven Kwan had three hits and scored twice for the Guardians, and José Ramírez drove in two runs. Rookie left-hander Joey Cantillo (4-3) pitched six impressive innings, giving up one run on five hits and two walks with seven strikeouts.

Boston threw a pair of wild pitches in the first two innings and committed two costly errors in the second. The Red Sox began the day leading the majors with 103 errors this season.

Cleveland Guardians' Gabriel Arias heads down the first base line on his two-run home run in the second inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Kwan doubled off opener Brennan Bernardino (4-3) to begin the game, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on Ramírez’s groundout.

Jordan Hicks gave up a leadoff double to Bo Naylor in the second, and Arias launched his 10th homer of the season. Hicks permitted two more hits before Steven Matz allowed an RBI single to Kwan that made it 4-0.

Cleveland got another run when Boston catcher Connor Wong was called for interference. Kwan scored on Matz’s wild pitch, and left fielder Jarren Duran misplayed Kyle Manzardo’s flyball for an error that allowed another run to score.

Boston, which won the season series 4-2, scored in the fourth when Nick Sogard’s two-out single knocked in Rob Refsnyder.

Key moment

Bernardino got only two outs in his 54th appearance of the season and third start. After tossing a hitless ninth inning Tuesday, he became the first Red Sox pitcher to finish a game and start the team’s next game in the same season since Calvin Schiraldi in early September 1987 at Minnesota.

Key stat

Kwan has hit safely in 11 of 13 career games at Fenway Park, batting .355 (22 for 62).

Up next

The Guardians open a four-game series at Tampa Bay on Thursday, with LHP Logan Allen (7-10, 4.42 ERA) scheduled to start opposite Rays RHP Ryan Pepiot (10-10, 3.70).

Boston is off Thursday before playing Friday night at Arizona.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb