CLEVELAND — The Guardians begin their final series of the season Friday night against the Houston Astros — if the rain holds off enough.
As of 5:00 p.m. ET, it was lightly drizzling in Cleveland , and the tarp is on the field. Tonight's game could be in question.
The Guardians entered Friday night 92-67, just behind the New York Yankees (93-66) for the No. 1 seed in the American League heading into the playoffs. Those two teams are already locked into the top two seeds, giving them a bye through the Wild Card Series and home field advantage in the ALDS, which will begin Oct. 5.
Check back here for live score updates, analysis and highlights throughout Friday night's game, as well as weather updates.
The Guardians waited until the ninth inning to show any signs of offensive life, but with two runners on and still nobody out, David Fry doubled down the left-field line to score Josh Naylor, making it 5-1 and finally getting Cleveland on the board against Josh Hader.
Jhonkensy Noel then struck out for the first out of the inning. Jose Altuve then made a terrific play on a grounder by Angel Martinez that brought a run home, but it also went as the second out of the inning.
Brayan Rocchio then hit a deep flyout to center field to end it, 5-2.
This loss brings the Yankees closer to securing the No. 1 seed in the AL.
Astros, Guardians score; Cleveland being blanked entering ninth inning
Abreu struck out Kyle Manzardo looking and and Jose Ramirez swinging to end the threat with the Astros still leading 5-0.
Astros pitcher Spencer Arrichetti is out of the game — twice.
He walked the bases loaded with one out in the eighth inning prompting the Astros the pull him. As he walked off the mound, he traded words with the umpires and was ejected — even though he was walking to the dugout already.
With one out and the bases loaded, Kyle Manzardo will be up with Jose Ramirez lurking on deck. Bryan Abreu is entering the game for Houston.
Jose Ramirez needs two home runs to become the seventh player with a 40-homer, 40-steals season. He's come close twice Friday night, hitting two balls to the warning track. In his second at-bat, he hit one to center field that was caught with a nice sliding grab. In his third at-bat, he belted a ball that needed just a few more feet to clear the wall in right field.
Alas, he remains at 38, and the Guardians still trail 5-0.
The Guardians have their first hit of the night, a single back up the middle by Will Brennan that has ended Ronel Blanco's no-hit bid in the fifth inning.
It's still raining. Props to any fans still sitting out there in this.
The rain is really coming down now. And as it does, Victor Caratini and Zach Dezenzo drilled back-to-back home runs off Eli Morgan, extending the Astros' lead to 5-0.
Dezenzo is a Marlington High School graduate.
Astros starter Ronel Blanco has been nearly perfect through four innings, only allowing one walk to Jose Ramirez and zero hits. As the rain continues to fall, the Guardians are still seeking their first hit, down 3-0.
Jose Altuve doubled off the wall in left field to put two runners in scoring position in the fourth. A passed ball by Joey Cantillo scored one run, and a single off the bat of Kyle Tucker scored Altuve to make it a 3-0 Astros lead.
Manager Stephen Vogt applauded Ramirez on Wednesday, noting that the star third baseman hadn't changed his approach at the plate even though he's chasing history, hoping to become the seventh player with a 40/40 season and the second with a 40/40/40 (home runs, steals and doubles) season. Ramirez followed that plan in the first inning, drawing a walk.
The rain is coming down a bit in Cleveland, but they are playing on.
Astros take lead against Joey Cantillo, Guardians in first inning
Jose Altuve led off the game with a double, and later, as he was on third base, Alex Bregman brought him home via a sacrifice fly to right field, giving the Astros a 1-0 lead against Guardians starting pitcher Joey Cantillo.
Below is some pregame information.
Guardians clinch spot in 2024 playoffs, AL Central
The Guardians clinched their spot in the playoffs Thursday and then secured the American League Central crown over the weekend in St. Louis.
It's the first calendar year since 1995 in which all three major Cleveland sports teams will play a playoff game.
Emmanuel Clase Cy Young case, odds
Guardians teammates have begun to lobby for Emmanuel Clase to be considered for the American League Cy Young Award, which hasn't gone to a reliever since 2003.
Lane Thomas heating up with Guardians
With his dad's help as a former race car driver, Lane Thomas is finding his way with the Guardians . Thomas also spoke with the Beacon Journal about his renewed approach on attacking fastballs , which unlocked his sizzling September.
Sam Hentges to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery
Sam Hentges' 2024 season is finished, and his entire 2025 season is also in jeopardy .
Jose Ramirez has 30/30 season in 2024, now chasing a 40/40/40 year
Jose Ramirez became the first Cleveland hitter in franchise history with multiple 30/30 seasons. And this weekend against Houston, he has a chance to put together the second ever 40/40/40 season .
Jhonkensy Noel's renewed approach on putting the ball in play has led to breakout 2024 season
Jhonkensy Noel knows he has the power. It took a new focus on contact and mobility to lead to his great rookie season thus far.
Guardians name CC Sabathia to team Hall-of-Fame
CC Sabathia is now in the Guardians' Hall-of-Fame, and he offered a two-part message to Cleveland fans .
Guardians No. 1 overall draft pick Travis Bazzana meets Jose Ramirez, wants to grow the game in Australia
It all finally sank in for Travis Bazzana , the top overall draft pick in the draft, when he stepped onto the field at Progressive Field and met Jose Ramirez and others.
Major League Baseball released the 2025 schedules .
2024 National Sports Card Convention comes to Cleveland
The National Sports Card Convention was in Cleveland recently. We broke down how we'd spend $100 , ranked the most mind-blowing items we could find and listed the top collectibles for under $50 .
How can I watch, stream or listen to the Guardians game today?
Today's game will be televised on Bally Sports. It'll be broadcast on the radio by WTAM (1100-AM) and WMMS (100.7-FM).
Guardians schedule
The Guardians wrap up their 2024 regular season this week at Progressive Field. They'll play the Reds Tuesday and Wednesday before welcoming the Houston Astros for a weekend series.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Guardians vs. Houston Astros recap; Guards rally in 9th but fall to Astros
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