CLEVELAND — The Guardians and Kansas City Royals played an extremely frosty game of baseball April 7 at Progressive Field, with Cleveland eventually winning it 2-1 in walk-off fashion.
The game was moved up to 1:10 p.m. to avoid the worst of the cold temperatures rolling into Cleveland, but it was still frigid. The Guardians lost 4-2 to the Royals April 6, when Jose Ramirez set the all-time franchise record for games played.
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Here’s how it all unfolded.
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Guardians vs. Cubs, Cleveland home opener photos
Apr 3, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Joey Cantillo (54) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
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Guardians vs. Cubs, Cleveland home opener photos
Apr 3, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Joey Cantillo (54) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
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Guardians vs. Cubs, Cleveland home opener photos
Apr 3, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Cade Horton (22) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
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Guardians vs. Cubs, Cleveland home opener photos
Fans take pictures outside before the start of the home opener Cleveland Guardians game the against Chicago Cubs, April 3, 2026, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio.
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Guardians vs. Cubs, Cleveland home opener photos
Fans mingle outside before the start of the home opener Cleveland Guardians game against the Chicago Cubs, April 3, 2026, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio.
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Guardians vs. Cubs, Cleveland home opener photos
Graham Veysey and his daughter, Red Clark Veysey, 5, spend their fifth opening day together before the opening Guardians home game against the Chicago Cubs, April 3, 2026, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio.
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Guardians vs. Cubs, Cleveland home opener photos
Apr 3, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez walks off the field during batting practice before the game between the Guardians and the Chicago Cubs at Progressive Field.
Brayan Rocchio hits walk-off single, Guardians beat the Royals
The Guardians have won it in classic Guardians fashion, via a low-scoring affair in cold weather.
With two runners on in the bottom of the ninth, Brayan Rocchio lined a single into right field to score CJ Kayfus from second base, giving Cleveland a 2-1 walk-off win over the Royals.
Kyle Manzardo strikes out on ABS review
Kyle Manzardo struck out to end the eighth inning on a ball that caught, perhaps, less than a millimeter of the strike zone. But it counts, and it’s still 1-1 entering the ninth inning.
Guardians, Royals tied entering 8th inning
This has been a trademark AL Central game with some solid pitching and defense, along with a low-scoring, tight affair. The Guardians and Royals will enter the eighth inning still tied 1-1.
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Shawn Armstrong is coming on to pitch for Cleveland.
CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 07: Steven Kwan #38 of the Cleveland Guardians hits an RBI single during the fifth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field on April 07, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
Guardians turn to bullpen, Gavin Williams exits with Cleveland, Royals tied
Gavin Williams’ day is done in the sixth inning. He lasted 5 2/3 innings, allowing only one hit, which was Carter Jensen’s home run in the second inning. Other than that swing, Williams was effectively wild, walking five and striking out eight.
Tim Herrin is entering with two outs in the top of the sixth inning.
Steven Kwan RBI single ties Guardians-Royals
Austin Hedges, who is quietly having a really nice opening to the 2026 season, singled and moved to second on a groundout. Steven Kwan then sent a single to left field to score Hedges and tie it 1-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning.
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Kwan had a really slow first week but has looked more like himself the last few days, something Stephen Vogt noted recently.
Juan Brito doubles in MLB debut
With shortstop Gabriel Arias headed to the injured list, the Guardians called up switch-hitting prospect Juan Brito and placed him sixth in the lineup today.
In his first MLB at-bat, Brito ripped a double to left field off of Royals starter Noah Cameron for his first hit in the big leagues. Jose Ramirez made sure to get the ball for him.
CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 07: Gavin Williams #32 of the Cleveland Guardians throws a pitch during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field on April 07, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
Guardians, Royals score after Carter Jensen hits home run
Carter Jensen is one of the most promising young catchers in baseball, and he’s having a heck of a series in Cleveland. He just homered off Gavin Williams via a solo shot that puts the Royals up 1-0 in the top of the second inning.
Cleveland Guardians rookie Juan Brito hits a double for his first career hit during the second inning of his Major League debut against the Kansas City Royals on April 7, 2026, in Cleveland.
Below is some pregame information.
Guardians lineup vs Kansas City Royals
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How can I watch Guardians vs. Royals on TV today? Cleveland Guardians radio, streaming, broadcast info
The April 7 game between the Guardians and Royals will be televised via GuardsTV. The games can be heard on WTAM-AM 1100, WHBC-AM 1480, WAKR-AM 1590, WMMS-FM 100.7 and WJER-FM 100.9.
Ryan Lewis covers the Cleveland Guardians and Cavaliers for the Akron Beacon Journal. He can be reached at rlewis1@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Guardians score vs Kansas City Royals game updates, highlights