CLEVELAND — The Guardians, stuck in an offensive slide, face the Houston Astros in a series finale Sunday afternoon at Progressive Field.
The Guardians have lost four of their last five games entering Sunday, and they haven’t yet scored more than four runs in the month of June.
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Tanner Bibee (4-6, 3.89 ERA) is set to take the mound for the Guardians opposite Astros left-handed pitcher Brandon Walter.
Follow along for live score updates, analysis and highlights throughout Sunday’s game.
Emmanuel Clase earns the save, Guardians beat the Astros
The Astros made Emmanuel Clase and the Guardians sweat, but Cleveland ultimately came away with a much-needed win.
The Astros brought the potential go-ahead run to the plate with one out, and Cam Smith put a charge into a deep fly ball to center field, but he didn’t get all of it, and Angel Martinez caught it for the second out.
Jacob Melton then grounded out to end it, and the Guardians won it 4-2.
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This was a badly-needed win considering the offensive struggles lately, with the Guardians spinning their tires as they try to close the gap with the Tigers in the AL Central.
Guardians retake lead over Astros in 7th inning
The Guardians are back on top.
Johnathan Rodriguez singled to left field to notch his first hit of the 2025 season. He was followed by Bo Naylor, who hit a bloop single to left to mark his first three-hit game of the season.
With two on, Will Wilson laid down a sacrifice bunt, but instead of the Astros getting the free out, reliever Steven Okert threw it away. That error allowed Rodriguez to score, making it 3-2.
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Pitchers simply not being able to throw to first base during a play with any consistency remains one of the stranger aspects of the game.
Steven Kwan followed with a sacrifice fly to center field to give the Guardians a 4-2 lead.
Jun 8, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Houston Astros right fielder Cam Smith (11) celebrates after hitting an RBI double during the seventh inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Guardians, Astros score update: Cam Smith ties it in 7th inning
Tanner Bibee kept Houston off the board until his final pitch of the day.
With two runners in scoring position and one out in the seventh inning, Astros outfielder Cam Smith roped a two-run double to left-center field to tie it 2-2 and end Bibee’s day at 88 pitches and 6 1/3 innings.
Bibee had an outstanding day on the mound, but the final line won’t reflect it now, as he’s also responsible for the runner on second base.
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Cade Smith is entering the game to try to keep it tied.
CLEVELAND, OHIO – JUNE 08: Will Wilson #7 of the Cleveland Guardians lays down an RBI sacrifice bunt during the seventh inning against the Houston Astros at Progressive Field on June 08, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
Guardians pitcher Tanner Bibee through 5 scoreless innings vs Astros
Guardians starter Tanner Bibee has looked solid thus far, limiting the Astros to two hits across five scoreless innings to go with four strikeouts and zero walks.
Thus far, Bo Naylor’s two-run home run has been the difference while Bibee has kept Houston off the board.
Jun 8, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians catcher Bo Naylor (23) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the second inning against the Houston Astros at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Guardians, Astros score: Bo Naylor home run gives Cleveland early lead
In an occurrence that hasn’t been common lately, the Guardians have struck first.
With a runner on and two out in the second inning, Bo Naylor drilled a go-ahead, two-run home run to right field to make it 2-0 Guardians. It had an exit velocity of 104.4 mph.
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Stephen Vogt recently acknowledged the Guardians needed to start getting to starters more often, as they were seemingly falling behind every day and playing catch-up.
Jun 8, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee (28) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Below is some pregame information.
Guardians promote Johnathan Rodriguez, option Jhonkensy Noel to Triple-A
The Guardians swapped outfielders before Sunday’s game, promoting Johnathan Rodriguez in place of Jhonkensy Noel.
Noel has a mountain of power and was one of the heroes of Cleveland’s miracle Game 3 win over the Yankees in the ALCS, but his contact rate and strike zone discipline has rendered much of it moot, as he’s hitting just .146.
Guardians lineup vs AstrosMLB standings: AL Central Division
The American League Central Division standings entering Sunday, June 8:
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Guardians news: ‘He’s a very old man’: Carlos Santana has career month in May 2025
Guardians schedule | Upcoming games
The Guardians host the Astros for three games over the weekend before Terry Francona and the Reds come to Cleveland for three games Monday-to-Wednesday.
How can I watch, stream or listen to the Guardians vs Astros 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: Guardians score today vs Astros live game updates, highlights, recap