Martínez’s RBI – Angel Martínez drove in a run with an RBI single in Cleveland’s four-run first and sealed the moment with a key second-inning defensive play as the Guardians held on for a 4-3 win over the Boston Red Sox on Friday night.
CLEVELAND — Angel Martínez did damage early, then made it hold up when Boston tried to turn the game into a comeback.
In Cleveland’s four-run first. Martínez delivered an RBI single that helped set the tone in a matchup the Guardians needed to grind through. Later. with the Red Sox threatening in the second inning. Martínez came up with a sharp defensive play that kept a potential rally from getting legs. The Guardians ultimately survived 4-3.
The Guardians’ offense wasn’t just about one swing. Chase DeLauter and Kyle Manzardo both broke out of slumps with two hits apiece. Cleveland’s early surge started with Tyler Samaniego’s first-inning problems: he allowed six straight singles with one out. and both Rhys Hoskins and Martínez came through with RBI base hits. When Boston center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela bobbled Martínez’s line drive while trying to get it out of his glove. the play turned into an error that let Hoskins score.
Patrick Bailey then widened the gap to 4-0 with a sacrifice fly to bring in Manzardo.
After that, the game shifted into a battle between pitching and late-inning pressure. Caleb Durbin put Boston on the board in the fifth inning with an RBI double. trimming Cleveland’s lead as the Red Sox kept chipping away. Boston’s run production stayed clustered—every one of their three runs came in the fifth—starting with four straight hits to open the inning. Marcelo Mayer delivered an RBI base hit. and Durbin followed with a double down the right-field line to bring home Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Jarren Duran added a sacrifice fly.
Defensively, Cleveland answered the moment Boston tried to sprint forward. In the second inning. Mickey Gasper attempted to score from second after Cleveland shortstop Brayan Rocchio was unable to field Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s grounder. Martínez threw Gasper out, extinguishing what could have changed the rhythm.
On the mound, Cleveland got exactly what it needed from the middle. Colin Holderman improved to 3-0 by earning the win with 1 1/3 innings of hitless ball, coming in as the second of six Guardians pitchers. Starter Slade Cecconi allowed three runs in 4 1/3 innings.
Cade Smith closed the door with the MLB-leading 20th save.
Boston’s pitching also had a split story. Tyler Samaniego, the opener who dropped to 0-3 after allowing four runs in the first, exited early. Brayan Bello then responded by throwing seven scoreless innings, allowing four hits and striking out five.
Even with Bello’s bounce-back performance, the Red Sox couldn’t escape their own early damage. Boston dropped six of seven and now faces another key matchup beyond this one.
Looking ahead, Boston right-hander Sonny Gray (5-1, 3.27 ERA) is set for his fourth win in May. Parker Messick (6-1, 2.24 ERA) was scheduled to start for Cleveland.
Cleveland Guardians Boston Red Sox Angel Martínez RBI single Brayan Bello Cade Smith Colin Holderman Slade Cecconi Parker Messick Sonny Gray