DeLauter helps Guards avoid sweep

Cleveland Guardians' Chase DeLauter had two hits and drove in two runs, while Gavin Williams allowed one unearned run and struck out nine in 7 2/3 innings. The Guardians defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 on Wednesday, stopping a four-game losing streak and avoiding a sweep in the three-game series. Tampa Bay snapped their six-game winning streak, allowing more than two runs for the first time in seven games. Chandler Simpson had two hits for the Rays, who had won 13 straight games against American League opponents. Williams (5-1) is among four pitchers in the majors this season to go at least seven innings in three starts. The right-hander gave up five hits and didn’t issue a walk for the first time in 46 starts. Cade Smith worked the ninth for the seventh save in nine chances. Brayan Rocchio scored two runs, with the first coming from a sacrifice fly by Kyle Manzardo in the third inning. DeLauter drove in both runners with a single in the fifth inning after an error by Jonathan Aranda. Tampa Bay’s lone run came in the seventh inning due to a throwing error by Travis Bazzana, who overthrew Rocchio. Rasmussen allowed three runs—two earned—and struck out six in five innings. The Guardians’ next game is an off day on Thursday before a three-game series at the Athletics. The Rays open a six-game homestand against San Francisco on Friday with LHP Shane McClanahan (2-2, 3.91 ERA) on the mound. The Guardians will start LHP Joey Cantillo (1-1, 2.97) on Friday.