Christian Arroyo's go-ahead home run lifts Red Sox to win over Guardians

CLEVELAND — Christian Arroyo hit a two-run homer in the seventh and had three RBIs in his return from the COVID-19 injured list, powering the red-hot Boston Red Sox to a 6-3 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Friday night.

Arroyo’s go-ahead homer to left-center off Bryan Shaw (3-1) gave the Red Sox a 4-2 lead, paving the way for their fifth consecutive win and moving them a season-high nine games over .500. The Red Sox are 17-4 in June and 30-12 since May 10.

Nick Pivetta (8-5) allowed two runs in seven innings, scattering nine hits, in his first career outing against Cleveland. The right-hander struck out four without a walk and is 8-1 with a 1.85 ERA in his past 10 starts.

The Red Sox carried a 6-2 advantage into the ninth, but closer Tanner Houck gave up an RBI single to rookie Steven Kwan before retiring Amed Rosario and José Ramírez back-to-back with the bases loaded.

Andrés Giménez hit a solo homer and scored two runs for the Guardians, who have won 17 of 23 and entered the game tied atop the American League Central Division. Rosario and Franmil Reyes had two hits apiece, and Myles Straw added an RBI single.

Arroyo went 3 for 4 and drove in the first Red Sox run when he was hit by Cal Quantrill's pitch with the bases loaded in the second. Arroyo had been sidelined since June 15, missing eight games.

Rafael Devers led off the third with a homer, his 17th of the season, and Rob Refsnyder doubled home a run for the Red Sox. Alex Verdugo added two doubles and an RBI.

Ramírez, who leads the AL with 62 RBIs, extended his hitting streak to 13 games while playing through right thumb soreness. The three-time All-Star initially jammed the thumb in early June.

Quantrill pitched five innings, giving up two runs, and exited after rookie right fielder Oscar Gonzalez threw out J.D. Martinez at the plate to complete a double play.

Quantrill (Port Hope, Ontario) and Pivetta (Victoria, British Columbia) comprised the third matchup of Canadian-born starters since 2014.

Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who ranks second in baseball with a .335 average, was given the day off.

Fan from afar

Red Sox manager Alex Cora took note when Guardians third baseman José Ramírez signed a team-friendly, seven-year, $141 million contract in April. “You’ve got to respect that,” Cora said. “He wanted to stay in Cleveland — and he did.” Ramírez is on pace to become the first player with 100 extra-base hits in a season since 2001. “I enjoy watching him play and I love the way he goes about it,” Cora said.

Trainer's room

Red Sox: Right-hander Garrett Whitlock (right hip inflammation) will not be activated off the injured list when eligible Saturday and won’t start in their next series in Toronto. “Whit isn’t feeling well, so it didn’t make sense to push him out there,” Cora said.

Guardians: Right-hander James Karinchak (right back strain) pitched on back-to-back days for the first time on his rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus. The former closer failed to retire any of the three hitters he faced in his second consecutive appearance.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Red Sox beat Guardians for fifth consecutive win