Guardians score, recap vs Angels | Cleveland, LA close out series at Progressive Field

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Guardians score, recap vs Angels | Cleveland, LA close out series at Progressive Field

Nate Ulrich and Ryan Lewis, Akron Beacon Journal · Akron Beacon Journal

Sun, Jun 1, 2025 ·

10 min read

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CLEVELAND — The Guardians defeated the Los Angeles Angels 4-2, closing out their three-game series and Cleveland's home stand on Sunday, June 1, at Progressive Field .

After dropping the series-opening game, the Guardians pulled off a comeback win in the rematch, which included a Little League home run by Nolan Jones . Then the Guardians won the series finale.

The Guardians are off Monday, June 2, before heading to New York to play the Yankees .

Here is how the rubber match between the Guardians (32-26) and Angels (26-32) unfolded through our updates.

Guardians defeat Angels 4-2

Closer Emmanuel Clase worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning to record his 13th save this season for the Guardians.

Starting pitcher Gavin Williams earned the win, improving to 5-3 this season. Williams had the longest no-hit bid of his career (5⅔ innings before the Angels ended it).

"I think that's the best I've ever seen Gavin look," Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. "I thought he was more efficient today. He was getting ahead a lot, staying ahead, getting to two strikes, got some weak contact.

"I thought it was just really good to see him use the cutter a lot more. But that was really good effort from Gavin."

Leading the Guardians on offense, Nolan Jones went 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Jose Ramirez went 2-for-4 with an RBI, a solo home run. Steven Kwan collected an RBI with a sacrifice fly.

Cleveland Guardians All-Star utility man David Fry makes MLB season debut after elbow surgery last year

The Guardians used All-Star utility man David Fry as a pinch hitter to lead off the bottom of the eighth inning. It was Fry's 2025 MLB debut after he underwent elbow surgery on Oct. 30, 2024, and was activated from the injured list May 31.

Unfortunately for Fry, he struck out swinging while pinch hitting for Bo Naylor . The Guardians remained ahead 4-2.

Still, Fry received a notable welcome from Guardians fans who were in attendance.

"To hear the reception that he got before and after the at-bat, it's just good to see David Fry back on a baseball field," Vogt said. "You never know what things are going to happen when you have surgery. There's no guarantees. So to see him back healthy being able to help us, it's a huge lift for all of us."

Guardians fans give Gavin Williams standing ovation as his outing vs. Angels ends in the seventh inning. LA cuts Cleveland's lead to 4-2

With two outs in the seventh inning, Logan O'Hoppe reached safely on a fielding error by shortstop Gabriel Arias , and starting pitcher Gavin Williams hit Jo Adell with a pitch amid an otherwise stellar outing.

The Guardians relieved Williams with Hunter Gaddis , whose first pitch was smacked to right field by Luis Rengifo for a one-run single and a 4-1 Angels deficit.

And with runners on first and third base, the Angels used star Mike Trout as a pinch hitter. Trout delivered a one-run single to center field to cut the Guardians' lead to 4-2.

Gaddis then struck out another pinch hitter, Yoan Moncada , looking.

Williams received a standing ovation from the home crowd when he exited the game. He pitched 6⅔ innings and allowed one hit, two runs (zero earned runs) and two walks. He struck out six. He threw 103 pitches, including 60 for strikes.

"Looks like an All-Star. Looks like a Cy Young," Fry said. "I mean, the stuff is real. It's always been in there, and his last couple outings have looked really good.

"It's real, and it's not just the fast ball. It's the breaking balls and command. Today, he pitched really well."

Williams said he was "kind of mad" he didn't last seven innings.

"I got ahead a lot today, which was good," Williams added. "I threw a lot of cutters, which was nice. It just kept them off balance."

Angels break up no-hitter by Guardians starting pitcher Gavin Williams in sixth inning

It happened on an awkward play, but the Angels broke up a no-hitter Guardians starting pitcher Gavin Williams had intact through 5⅔ innings.

With two outs in the sixth inning, Zach Neto hit a ground ball to a spot on the infield where second baseman Daniel Schneemann could have made a routine play for an out. But Schneemann broke the wrong way, moving to his right and toward second base, before the grounder arrived. As a result, the ball went into the outfield for a single.

Williams proceeded to escape the inning without allowing a run when Nolan Schanuel grounded out.

Jun 1, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Gavin Williams (32) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Gavin Williams has a no-hitter through five innings vs. Los Angeles Angels

Guardians starting pitcher Gavin Williams made it through five innings without allowing a hit against the Angels.

Williams allowed two walks. He also struck out five Angels through five innings. His five-inning pitch total was 74, including 45 for strikes.

Guardians extend lead over Angels to 4-0 in the fourth inning

After Jose Ramirez led off the fourth inning with a solo home run, Kyle Manzardo singled, Bo Naylor walked, Gabriel Arias was hit by a pitch and Nolan Jones hit a two-run single to center field to extend the Guardians' lead to 4-0 in the same inning.

With runners on first and third base, Steven Kwan then drew a walk to load the bases again.

The Angels couldn't take any more. They summoned Connor Brogdon from the bullpen to replace starting pitcher Jack Kochanowicz , who allowed four runs and five hits in 3⅔ innings of work. Angel Martinez grounded out to third base to end the inning.

But the damage had been done. The Guardians produced a three-run fourth inning to seize control.

Jun 1, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) celebrates his single in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

Jose Ramirez hits solo home run in the fourth inning, giving the Guardians a 2-0 lead

Shortly after Guardians star Jose Ramirez made a tremendous defensive play, he smashed a solo home run to right-center field to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning and give Cleveland a 2-0 lead.

Ramirez's 11th home run this season went 397.4 feet with an exit velocity of 102.6 mph. It came on a 94.5 mph sinker on the outside part of the plate from Angels starting pitcher Jack Kochanowicz.

Angels lose challenge of phenomenal defensive play by Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez

Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez made a highlight throw from the edge of the infield to first base, beating Zach Neto by a hair in the fourth inning.

The Angels challenged the call because they thought Neto was safe. However, the call stood after a replay review.

Instead of the leadoff hitter reaching safely, there was one out, and the Angels ended up going through another inning scoreless.

Guardians take 1-0 lead in third inning vs. Angels

Gabriel Arias led off the bottom of the third inning by drawing a walk and then advanced to second base on a wild pitch by Kochanowicz.

Nolan Jones then singed to center field, and Arias advanced to third base.

With a full count, Steven Kwan smacked a sacrifice fly to right field, driving Arias home for a 1-0 Guardians lead.

Then Angel Martinez grounded into a 6-3 double play to end the inning.

CLEVELAND, OHIO - JUNE 01: Gavin Williams #32 of the Cleveland Guardians throws a pitch during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Progressive Field on June 01, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

Guardians pitcher Gavin Williams shuts out Angels through three innings

Just when it looked like Guardians starting pitcher Gavin Williams may be in trouble, things turned around quickly in his favor.

With two outs in the third inning, Scott Kingery drove the ball to the right field corner, but it went foul. On the next pitch, he struck out looking.

Williams remained unscathed through three innings.

Guardians star Jose Ramirez extends his on-base streak to 28 games

With two outs in the first inning, Guardians six-time All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez singled to right field off Kochanowicz.

The hit extended Ramirez's on-base streak to 28 games, the second-longest stretch of this nature he has experienced during his MLB career. Ramirez's career-long on-base streak of 32 games unfolded in 2018.

After Ramirez reached safely, cleanup hitter Kyle Manzardo popped out for the third out, keeping the Guardians and Angels in a scoreless tie.

Guardians produce a double play to keep the Angels scoreless through one inning

Williams surrendered a one-out walk to Nolan Schanuel in the first inning. But Williams then induced Taylor Ward to ground into a 6-4-3 double play, keeping the Angels scoreless.

Here is some pregame information:

Shane Bieber will make rehab start Thursday in Akron

Guardians former AL Cy Young Award winning pitcher Shane Bieber celebrated his 30th birthday on Saturday, May 31, with his first rehab start on the comeback trail back from Tommy John surgery.

The next significant step for Bieber will be a rehab start Thursday for the Double-A Akron RubberDucks, Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said Sunday. Bieber is set to travel to Cleveland on Monday.

Facing the ACL Rangers in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League, the right-handed Bieber threw 2⅓ scoreless innings, allowed one single and struck out five Saturday.

"All of his stuff, quality is good," Antonetti said. "His fastball velocity was really good. I think it was like 92 to 94, average 93."

If all goes well for Bieber, he could be back with the Guardians in roughly four weeks.

Guardians coverage: 'He hits the ball really hard': Nolan Jones among MLB leaders in exit velocity despite slump

Guardians injury updates on Andrew Walters , Will Brennan , Erik Sabrowski and Ben Lively

Antonetti provided the following injury updates:

Right-handed pitcher Andrew Walters suffered "a significant tear in his right lat muscle" Friday, Antonetti said. The Guardians are gathering medical opinions to determine whether Walters will undergo surgery. "But he's going to be out a while," Antonetti said. "It was a significant injury."
Outfielder Will Brennan (left forearm inflammation) will be examined in person by Dr. Keith Meister to determined whether he'll need surgery, Antonetti said.
Left-handed pitcher Erik Sabrowski (left elbow inflammation) will travel this week to join the RubberDucks and continue his rehab, Antonetti said.
Right-handed pitcher Ben Lively's Tommy John surgery date will likely be late this week, Antonetti said.

Guardians vs Angels starting pitching matchup

Right-hander Gavin Williams is slated to start on the mound opposite Angels right-hander Jack Kochanowicz.

Williams entered Sunday with a record of 4-3 this season, along with a 4.27 ERA and 60 strikeouts and 32 walks in 52⅔ innings.

Kochanowicz entered Sunday with a record of 3-6 this season, along with a 5.07 ERA and 40 strikeouts and 29 walks in 60⅓ innings.

Guardians lineup vs Angels

Steven Kwan, LF
Angel Martinez, CB
Jose Ramirez, 3B
Kyle Manzardo, 1B
Carlos Santanta, DH
Daniel Schneemann, 2B
Bo Naylor, C
Gabriel Arias, SS
Nolan Jones, RF

MLB standings: AL Central Division

The American League Central Division standings entering Sunday, June 1:

Tigers 38-21
Guardians 31-26
Twins 31-26
Royals 31-28
White Sox 18-40

Guardians news: 'He's a very old man': Carlos Santana has career month in May 2025

Guardians schedule | Upcoming games

The Guardians hosted a three-game series against the Angels at Progressive Field before going on the road to play the Yankees June 3-5.

How can I watch, stream or listen to the Guardians vs Angels game?

Sunday's game can be viewed locally on AT&T U-verse (channel 1736), COX (channel 80), DIRECTV Satellite and Streaming (channel 662), FuboTV and Spectrum (channel 1306). It can also be streamed via MLB's direct-to-consumer streaming subscription ( CLEGuardians.TV ) for $99.99 a season or $19.99 a month. And it'll be available on the radio via WTAM 1100, WMMS 100.7 and WARF 1350.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Guardians score, recap vs LA Angels, updates, highlights

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