Guardians vs Braves score, recap | Cleveland opens series with shutout loss to Atlanta

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Guardians vs Braves score, recap | Cleveland opens series with shutout loss to Atlanta

Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal · Akron Beacon Journal

Fri, Aug 15, 2025 ·

8 min read

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CLEVELAND — With about six weeks left in MLB's regular season, the Guardians are knocking on the door in the American League wild-card playoff standings and simultaneously keeping the AL Central division race interesting.

The Guardians have won nine of 10 series and are an AL-best 23-9 since July 7, when Cleveland snapped a 10-game losing streak.

However, the Guardians slipped in their series opener Aug. 15 against the Atlanta Braves , losing 2-0 at Progressive Field. Cleveland had entered the matchup a half game out of the third and final AL wild-card spot occupied by the New York Yankees . The Guardians were also 6½ games behind the Detroit Tigers for the AL Central lead.

Here's how the first game between the Guardians (63-58) and Braves (54-68) unfolded through our updates:

Atlanta Braves complete shutout win over Guardians, prevailing 2-0 in Cleveland

With the Guardians trying to avoid a shut out, Braves closer Raisel Iglesias denied Cleveland in the ninth inning.

Iglesias struck out Daniel Schneemann to begin the bottom of the ninth inning, got Jose Ramirez to fly out to deep right field and induced Kyle Manzardo to pop out to third base.

Iglesias earned his 18th save this season, and Braves starter Hurston Waldrep improved to 3-0.

Guardians starting pitcher Joey Cantillo fell to 3-3.

The Guardians had just two hits. The Braves finished with eight.

Braves extend lead vs. Guardians to 2-0 in ninth inning

Guardians reliever Carlos Hernandez entered the game to begin the ninth inning, replacing Jakob Junis , who had worked the previous two innings.

Hernandez allowed a one-out, one-run single against Michael Harris II . The Braves extended their lead to 2-0 when Harris drove in Eli White from second base for a crucial insurance run.

Guardians shut out by Braves through eight innings

After Braves starting pitcher Hurston Waldrep limited the Guardians to two hits through six innings, relievers Daysbel Hernandez and Tyler Kinley each pitched a scoreless seventh and eighth, respectively. Neither Hernandez nor Kinley gave up a hit.

The Guardians remained shut out through eight innings and trailed the Braves 1-0.

Guardians win challenge as Bo Naylor catches another Braves runner stealing

Guardians catcher Bo Naylor threw out his second Braves base runner during an attempted steal, but it took a Cleveland challenge to make it official.

Braves No. 9 hitter Nick Allen was caught stealing in the seventh inning. He was initially called safe at second base, but the ruling was overturned after a replay review spurred by a challenge.

Aug 15, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Hurston Waldrep (64) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Guardians register just two hits through six innings vs. Braves starting pitcher Hurston Waldrep

Braves starting pitcher Hurston Waldrep shut out the Guardians and held them to just two hits through six innings. He also struck out seven and walked two.

Waldrep allowed a leadoff single against Steven Kwan to begin the bottom of the sixth. But Waldrep induced Daniel Schneemann to ground into a force-out and struck out Jose Ramirez and Kyle Manzardo.

The Braves maintained their 1-0 lead heading into the seventh inning. To begin the bottom of the seventh inning, the Braves relieved Waldrep with Daysbel Hernandez.

Joey Cantillo lasts five innings and Guardians summon reliever Matt Festa

Trailing 1-0, the Guardians summoned Matt Festa from the bullpen to relieve starting pitcher Joey Cantillo at the start of the sixth inning.

Cantillo pitched five innings, allowing one run, four hits and four walks and striking out five. He threw 96 pitches, including 56 for strikes.

Festa worked a one-two-three sixth inning.

Aug 15, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland police officers arrest a fan that walked onto the field as Cleveland Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan (38) watches during the fourth inning of the game between the Guardians and the Atlanta Braves at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

A fan appears on field in Johnny Manziel jersey and gives security a headache

A fan appeared in the outfield during the top of the fourth inning, with the bases loaded and the Braves batting.

The fan, clad in a No. 2 Johnny Manziel Browns jersey, was tackled by two police officers in center field. However, the fan gave the officers a bit of trouble while struggling to break loose, and they had to take him down again in left field before removing him.

Through four innings, the Guardians trailed the Braves 1-0.

Aug 15, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland police officers arrest a fan that walked onto the field during the fourth inning of the game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Atlanta Braves at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Atlanta Braves capture 1-0 lead against Cleveland Guardians in fourth inning

Surrending a walk to lead off an inning is never advisable for a pitcher, and it hurt Guardians starter Joey Cantillo.

After Cantillo walked Ronald Acuna Jr. , cleanup hitter Marcell Ozuna hit a weak grounder to the right side of the pitcher's mound. The Guardians couldn't field the ball, but the umpire crew called Acuna out for interference because he ran in front of second baseman Brayan Rocchio .

Then Ozzie Albies grounded into a force-out, but the Guardians fell short of turning a double play. With two outs, Michael Harris II singled to right field, giving the Braves runners on first and second base. Cantillo loaded the bases by walking Sean Murphy .

After the game was delayed for a few minutes because of the aforementioned fan on the field, Nacho Alvarez Jr . drew a walk from Cantillo, and Albies scored to give the Braves a 1-0 lead.

Nick Allen then grounded out to end the inning.

Aug 15, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Joey Cantillo (54) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Cleveland Guardians strand another runner in scoring position in the third inning

Guardians leadoff man Steven Kwan hit a two-out double down the third-base line in the third inning, and Daniel Schneemann followed by launching a deep fly ball to center field, only to be caught by Michael Harris II for the third out.

The Guardians left a runner at second base for the second inning in a row.

Kwan's double was Cleveland's first hit of the game. The Braves had three hits through three innings.

Aug 15, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians catcher Bo Naylor (23) tags out Atlanta Braves left fielder Jurickson Profar (7) during the third inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Cleveland Guardians benefit from defensive highlights in third inning, keeping Atlanta Braves from scoring

The Guardians were carried by their defense in the third inning.

Jurickson Profar reached safely with a two-out single off starting pitcher Joey Cantillo, but a play at home plate prevented him from scoring when Matt Olson doubled off the center-field wall. Center fielder Daniel Schneemann threw to cutoff man Gabriel Arias at shortstop, and Arias fired a strike to catcher Bo Naylor, who tagged out Profar.

The Guardians had another stellar defensive play earlier. C.J. Kayfus made a diving catch in right field to record the first out of the inning on a liner hit by Nacho Alvarez Jr.

Guardians and Braves in scoreless tie through two innings

With the Guardians' Kyle Manzardo on second base and two outs, C.J. Kayfus hit a sharp grounder to first base, but Matt Olson fielded it without trouble to end the second inning in a scoreless tie.

Guardians' Joey Cantillo fields line drive to the pitcher's mound and records out vs. Braves

Yikes! The Guardians' Joey Cantillo had his glove knocked off by Michael Harris II's line drive back to the pitcher's mound in the second inning. The ball was hit 111.7 mph, but Cantillo still managed to gather it bare-handed and flip it to second base for a force-out. Ozzie Albies had been on first base after smacking a single to left field.

Then the inning ended when Guardians catcher Bo Naylor caught Harris attempting to steal second base.

Braves pitcher Hurston Waldrep works one-two-three inning out of the gate vs. Guardians

Braves starting pitcher Hurston Waldrep produced a one-two-three first inning, inducing the Guardians' Steven Kwan, Daniel Schneemann and Jose Ramirez into consecutive groundouts.

Joey Cantillo strikes out two in scoreless top of first inning

Guardians starting pitcher Joey Cantillo struck out two Braves batters as he worked a scoreless top of the first inning.

Cantillo's second strikeout ended the top half of inning with cleanup hitter Marcell Ozuna taking a curveball down the middle, stranding Matt Olson at first base after he walked earlier.

Cleveland Guardians score, recap: Jose Ramirez aids late rally to beat Miami Marlins

Below is some pregame information:

Cleveland Guardians game today | Pitching matchup

For the Guardians, left-handed pitcher Joey Cantillo is set to start opposite righty Hurston Waldrep.

Cantillo has appeared in 28 Guardians games this season with seven starts, earning a record of 3-2 with a 4.11 ERA and 1.4 WHIP. He has struck out 75 batters and walked 32 in 61⅓ innings.

Waldrep will make his second start with the Braves this season. He has appeared in two games, earning a record of 2-0 with a 1.54 ERA and 0.86 WHIP, striking out 10 and walking three in 11⅔ innings.

Aug 3, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Joey Cantillo (54) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Cleveland Guardians players | Today's lineup vs Atlanta Braves

Steven Kwan, LF
Daniel Schneemann, CF
Jose Ramirez, 3B
Kyle Manzardo, DH
Gabriel Arias, SS
Carlos Santana , 1B
C.J. Kayfus, RF
Bo Naylor, C
Brayan Rocchio, 2B

Aug 14, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) scores beside Miami Marlins catcher Liam Hicks (34) in the seventh inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

Guardians roster move | Cleveland outrights Trevor Stephan off 40-man roster

The Guardians outrighted pitcher Trevor Stephan off the 40-man roster to Triple-A Columbus.

Stephan has been rehabilitating this season from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in March 2024.

MLB Standings: American League Central

The American League Central Division standings entering Aug. 15:

Detroit Tigers 71-52
Guardians 63-57 (6.5 games behind)
Kansas City Royals 60-61 (10)
Minnesota Twins 57-64 (13)
Chicago White Sox 44-77 (26)

Aug 14, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan (38) singles in the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

Where can I watch the Guardians game tonight?

The game on Aug. 15 can be viewed locally on WKYC (Channel 3) , AT&T U-verse (Channel 1736), COX (Channel 80), DIRECTV Satellite and Streaming (Channel 662), FuboTV and Spectrum (Channel 1306). It can be streamed via MLB's direct-to-consumer streaming subscription ( CLEGuardians.TV ). It can be viewed out of market on MLB Network. And it'll be available on the radio via WTAM 1100, WMMS 100.7 and WARF 1350.

Guardians news: Emmanuel Clase, Luis Ortiz investigated by Ohio Casino Control Commission

Cleveland Guardians schedule | Upcoming games vs Arizona Diamondbacks , Texas Rangers

After the Guardians host the Braves for three games through Aug. 17, they are scheduled for a six-game road trip beginning Aug. 18 against the Arizona Diamondbacks and then the Texas Rangers (Aug. 22-24).

Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com . On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich .

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Guardians vs Atlanta Braves score, recap, highlights

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