Cleveland Guardians score vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Recap, Sonny Gray is nearly perfect

After opening this six-game homestand by losing two of three to the Toronto Blue Jays, the Guardians lost the series opener 5-0 to the Cardinals. The loss drops Cleveland to .500, at 40-40, as it entered the game trailing first-place Detroit by 9 1/2 games in the American League Central Division.

Here's how the game unfolded through our live scoring updates and highlights.

Cardinals starter Sonny Gray shuts down Guardians

St. Louis starter Sonny Gray is near perfect as the Cardinals beat the Guardians 5-0.

The Guardians had only one base runner. Nolan Jones singled with two outs in the fifth.

Gray struck out 11.

Nolan Arenado drives in another run for the Cardinals

A pair of two-out walks issued by Guardians reliever Jakob Junis comes back to hurt him. Nolan Arenado's RBI single to left gives the Cardinals a 5-0 lead in the eighth. He has driven in two tonight.

Cardinals maintain four-run lead heading to eighth inning

The Cardinals still hold a 4-0 lead through seven innings.

This game is flying. There are supposed to be fireworks afterward, but that may have to be delayed until it actually gets dark.

Guardians starter Luis Ortiz settles in after rough third inning

Guardians Luis Ortiz's night is likely over after seven innings. He settled in a rough third inning that saw the Cardinals score three of their four runs.

Ortiz has thrown 102 pitches and has struck out five.

Nolan Arenado two-out double increases St. Louis lead

Alec Burleson leads off the sixth with a double and scores on Nolan Arenado's two-out double to right.

The Cardinals increase their lead to 4-0.

Nolan Jones ends Cardinals starter Sonny Gray's perfect game bid

Well, what do you know? A Guardians base hit.

Nolan Jones singles with two outs in the fifth to end Cardinals starter Sonny Gray's perfect game bid. St. Louis still leads 3-0.

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray delivers a first-inning pitch against the Guardians, June 27, 2025, in Cleveland.

Cardinals starter Sonny Gray perfect through three innings

Nine up, nine down for Cardinals starter Sonny Gray.

Gray hasn't broke a sweat on this hot night. He has made just 30 pitches and has struck out five.

Alec Burleson two-run homer extends Cardinals advantage

It hasn't been a good night so far for Guardians starter Luis Ortiz. He gives up his second homer of the third inning — a two-run shot to Alec Burleson —that gives the Cardinals a 3-0 lead.

Ortiz already has committed two errors, including one on a pickoff attempt in the third.

Pedro Pages homer gives Cardinals lead

Pedro Pages homers to left to lead off the third inning. St. Louis grabs a 1-0 lead.

Guardians, Cardinals scoreless through two innings

Those still coming through the gates haven't missed anything. The Guardians and Cardinals head to the third inning scoreless.

St. Louis' Brendan Donovan has the only hit of the game. Cardinals starter Sonny Gray has struck out four.

Actor J.K. Simmons throws out first pitch at Guardians game vs. Cardinals

Award-winning actor J.K. Simmons threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Friday's game. The 70-year-old Simmons won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2015 for his role in "Whiplash."

CLEVELAND, OHIO - JUNE 27: Actor J.K. Simmons throws the ceremonial first pitch prior to a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on June 27, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

Jose Ramirez not playing tonight

The Guardians lineup will have a huge hole in it tonight. All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez is out with a right forearm bruise after getting hit by a pitch June 26 and leaving that game early.

Guardians vs. Cardinals pitching probables | Luis Ortiz vs. Sonny Gray

Guardians starting pitcher Luis Ortiz celebrates in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels, May 30, 2025, in Cleveland.

Guardians stick with Kyle Manzardo at first base

Thursday's loss to Toronto was a game to forget for Kyle Manzardo. The Guardians first baseman committed three errors in the third inning alone. That helped stake the Blue Jays to a 3-0 lead.

Sitting Manzardo after a game like that wasn't an option in manager Stephen Vogt's eyes. Manzardo was back at first base against the Cardinals and hitting third.

"It was 100 percent he's going right back out there," Vogt said. "There's two options. You sit him for three or four days and let him think about or get right back out there.

"Manzo has been very good at first base for us. He had a tough inning, but that's the facts about it."

Guardians activate Erik Sabrowski from injured list

The Guardians have activated Erik Sabrowski from the 60-day injured list and optioned right-hander Zak Kent to Triple-A Columbus.

Sabrowski has been rehabbing after dealing with left elbow inflammation. He pitched a scoreless inning with two strikeouts for Double-A Akron earlier this week.

"Erik was at the end of his rehab assisgnment and ready to go," Vogt said. " ... His stuff was moving. His strength throwing was trending the right way."

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This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Guardians score vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Recap, Sonny Gray is nearly perfect