​MIAMI (AP) — In a game that capped a three-game sweep for Cleveland, Joey Cantillo was masterful on the mound, racking up nine strikeouts over five innings of one-run ball as the Guardians defeated the Miami Marlins 5-2. Brayan Rocchio powered Cleveland with a homer and two RBIs, while rookie Chase DeLauter also went deep. Steven Kwan and Khalil Watson each collected two hits for the Guardians, who improved to 51-46 heading into the All-Star break.
Cantillo (8-4) worked efficiently, allowing six hits and issuing two walks. He navigated danger in the second inning when the bases were loaded with no outs; he managed to escape by coaxing a pop-out from Esteury Ruiz, then punching out Rece Hinds and Brian Navarreto to end the threat. Cleveland’s pitching staff overall was stingy, limiting Miami to four runs over 17 2/3 innings in the series while relievers held the Marlins to two runs across the final 9 1/3 innings.
For Miami, Otto López, who entered the game with a league-best .345 average, went hitless in the series, finishing 0-for-12 as his season-long hot streak cooled. The Marlins started strong with confidence, but the Guardians pulled away in the middle and late frames.
Cantillo received run support early from a pair of RBI hits that came in the first inning. Rocchio and Kyle Manzardo delivered run-scoring singles off Tyler Phillips, giving Cleveland an early lead. The Marlins answered in the third with an RBI single from Xavier Edwards, trimming the deficit to 2-1.
Rocchio increased the Guardians’ cushion in the fifth with a leadoff homer off Marlins reliever Michael Petersen, his eighth of the season, driving a fastball over the right-field wall for a two-run advantage. In the seventh, Watson added an RBI single to make it 4-1. DeLauter then provided the exclamation point in the ninth with a solo homer off Pete Fairbanks, extending the cushion to 5-1.
The Marlins tried to spark a late rally, but the Guardians held them at bay. Phillips, who has been moved into the rotation after starting the season as a reliever, pitched only the first inning in this bullpen game before handing the ball to six relievers. He exited after facing one batter in the opening frame, and Miami went with a bullpen approach for the rest of the game.
As the All-Star break looms, Cleveland will head home to open a three-game series against Pittsburgh on Friday, while Miami will hit the road for a three-game set in Milwaukee starting Friday.
Guardians fans can savor the momentum as the team navigates the break, buoyed by balanced contributions from Rocchio, Watson, DeLauter, and a sturdy start from Cantillo. For the Marlins, the setback comes after a strong run at home and a season that still features significant upside as they prepare for their next road trip.
AP MLB coverage continues to track these teams as they resume after the midseason break.