Sat May 31 05:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Guardians Rally in the Eighth, Defeat Dodgers 7-4
**CLEVELAND, OH** – A five-run explosion in the eighth inning, capped by Angel Martínez’s go-ahead three-run home run, propelled the Cleveland Guardians to a 7-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, salvaging the final game of their interleague series.
The Dodgers held a comfortable 4-1 lead for much of the game, but the Guardians chipped away, with Carlos Santana driving in a run in the seventh. The eighth inning proved decisive, as Nolan Jones tied the game with a two-run single off Dodgers reliever Tanner Scott (0-1) before Martínez launched his game-winning homer off Alex Vesia.
Guardians reliever Matt Festa (1-0) earned the win, while Emmanuel Clase shut the door in the ninth for his 11th save of the season.
The victory spoiled a strong outing for Dodgers veteran Clayton Kershaw, who pitched a season-high five innings and allowed just one run in his third start since undergoing knee and toe surgery. While he struck out three, Kershaw was denied his 213th career win.
José Ramírez extended his career-long hitting streak to 21 games with an RBI single in the first inning. The hit also placed him eighth in Cleveland franchise history with 1,564 hits. Santana also had a strong day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with an RBI.
For the Dodgers, Will Smith, Andy Pages, and Freddie Freeman each drove in a run. However, superstar Shohei Ohtani, who had homered in his previous three games, went 0-for-3 with a walk.
The Guardians suffered a loss when left fielder Steven Kwan left the game after three innings with right wrist inflammation. Kolby Allard made a spot start for Cleveland, allowing two runs in four innings.
The Dodgers (RHP Tony Gonsolin, 2-1, 4.68 ERA) return home to face the New York Yankees on Friday to begin a seven-game homestand. The Guardians (RHP Luis Ortiz, 2-5, 4.73 ERA) are tentatively scheduled to host the Los Angeles Angels on Friday.
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