Gabriel Arias delivered a clutch two-out, two-run double in the seventh inning. The Cleveland Guardians rallied from a four-run deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Angels 7-5 on Saturday, ending the Angels’ eight-game road winning streak.
Carlos Santana sparked the comeback with a solo home run off Angels reliever Ryan Zeferjahn (2-1) to open the seventh and tie the game 5-5. Daniel Schneemann followed with a single and stole second before Bo Naylor drew a walk. Arias then lined a 3-2 pitch to center to give Cleveland a 7-5 lead.
Angels starter Kyle Hendricks was in line for his 100th career victory after being staked to a 4-0 lead, but Cleveland chipped away steadily. Hendricks went 5 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out a season-high six.
Yoán Moncada and Taylor Ward hit back-to-back homers in the third, and Jo Adell followed a Mike Trout single with his seventh blast of the season, giving the Angels a commanding 4-0 advantage. Trout added an RBI double in the fifth to push the lead to 5-2.
But the Guardians answered with a two-run triple from Nolan Jones in the fourth, a solo homer by José Ramírez in the fifth, and another long ball by Steven Kwan in the sixth to close the gap. Kwan finished 3 for 5, just missing the cycle.
Slade Cecconi allowed five runs on seven hits across 4 1/3 innings for Cleveland. The Guardians’ bullpen was lights out from there, with Logan Allen (3-3) earning the win and Emmanuel Clase locking down a perfect ninth for his 12th save.
Key Moment
Santana’s game-tying homer came just after Zeferjahn retired two batters to begin the inning, shifting momentum completely in Cleveland’s favor and setting up Arias’ decisive double.
Key Stat
The Angels have homered in 14 consecutive road games, tying a franchise record. They are seeking their first series win in Cleveland since 2013.
Up Next
RHP Jack Kochanowicz (3-6, 5.07 ERA) takes the mound for the Angels in Sunday’s series finale, facing Guardians RHP Gavin Williams (4-3, 4.27 ERA).