Another start, another Messick gem as Guards close in on October

BOSTON -- A clash of the two best rookie starters in the American League -- Parker Messick and Payton Tolle -- went down on Tuesday night at Fenway Park, but in the end it was the Cleveland offense that eked out a crucial 3-2 win.

The victory brings the club one step closer to clinching a postseason berth while also maintaining their lead over the White Sox in the American League Central.

Not at his sharpest, Messick ran his pitch count up early as he allowed at least one hit in each of the first four innings before finally working a 1-2-3 in the fifth, striking out Nick Sogard to end the frame and his night on the bump.

Despite the early departure, the Guardians’ hurler left his team with a 2-1 advantage after allowing just one earned run and five hits in what will likely be his last regular-season start as Cleveland begins piecing its playoff rotation together.

It was the 14th consecutive start where the southpaw allowed three earned runs or fewer. He allowed five hits, walked one, struck out five and lowered his ERA to 2.55 this season, the third-lowest mark in the AL among qualified starters.

Cleveland’s scoring came in the second inning on David Fry's RBI single and a run-scoring double play against Tolle, who allowed only two runs over 5 2/3 innings. The Guardians had two additional scoring chances snuffed out at home, in the third and seventh innings, on ground balls against a drawn-in Boston infield.

The Red Sox fought back late against the Cleveland bullpen. Pinch-hitter Mickey Gasper tied the game on the first pitch he saw from Hunter Gaddis to lead off the eighth with his 10th homer of the season.

A Nathaniel Lowe sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth scored Chase DeLauter to put Cleveland back ahead to stay.