Rookie Chase DeLauter belted a two-run, two-out homer off Hunter Harvey in the seventh inning, three batters after Gabriel Arias hit a go-ahead solo shot, as the Cleveland Guardians beat the visiting Chicago Cubs 4-1 on Friday afternoon.
DeLauter, who singled in Cleveland’s first run in the fifth to knot the score, tied Shea Langeliers of the Athletics for the major league lead with five home runs. He went 3-of-4 in his initial regular season home game, having made his debut in the 2025 postseason.
Connor Brogdon (2-0) earned the win with a perfect seventh for the Guardians, while Cade Smith worked a scoreless ninth for his second save. American League charter member Cleveland played its 126th home opener.
Harvey (0-1) allowed three runs on both homers, only retiring two batters before being lifted in the seventh. The Cubs used four relievers after starter Cade Horton was forced to leave in the second with right forearm discomfort.
DeLauter’s blast scored Steven Kwan, who had walked. Jose Ramirez had two hits for the Guardians, who moved two games above .500. They played their first seven contests on the West Coast.
Pete Crow-Armstrong and Miguel Amaya had back-to-back doubles in the second, giving Chicago a 1-0 lead. Crow-Armstrong reached on a pop-up that dropped in front of shortstop Arias, who had called off All-Star third baseman Ramirez.
Ramirez was literally hopping mad after the ball hit the grass. The misplay cost Guardians starter Joey Cantillo a run when Amaya followed with a double just inside the bag at third.
The Guardians tied the score at 1-1 in the fifth when DeLauter’s two-out single off Colin Rea plated Daniel Schneemann. Arias attempted to score from second, but was thrown out by left fielder Ian Happ.
Cantillo struck out six over 5 1/3 innings, giving up one run on four hits and two walks. The left-hander exited with two on and one out in the sixth, but Matt Festa entered and retired Carson Kelly and Michael Busch on foul outs to Ramirez.
Horton was hurt while throwing to Bo Naylor in the second, exiting after 17 pitches. He worked a clean first without a strikeout and walked Kyle Manzardo leading off the second before departing.
Rea replaced Horton, working 3 1/3 innings and allowing one run on four hits with four strikeouts and a walk.
Heavy rain fell in the first while the Guardians were batting, but the action continued as the sky remained bright. Cleveland is 66-60 in home openers, including 18-15 since moving into its current downtown ballpark.
–Field Level Media
