Angels Struggle With Command in Series Opener Loss to Guardians

May 11, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Brent Suter (37) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field.

(David Richard-Imagn Images)

The Los Angeles Angels continued their difficult stretch Monday night, falling 7-2 to the Cleveland Guardians after a rough middle portion of the game put them in an early hole they could not overcome.

The Angels have now dropped 16 of their last 21 games and struggled once again to limit free passes, an issue that proved costly throughout the night. Cleveland capitalized on the Angels’ pitching command problems, drawing 10 walks and using a five-run third inning to pull away.

The Angels opened the game with left-hander Brent Suter serving as an opener, but Cleveland immediately found opportunities against the bullpen after his departure. Reliever Jose Fermin entered in the second inning and allowed a two-run single to Brayan Rocchio that gave the Guardians a 2-0 advantage.

Things unraveled further in the third.

Cleveland loaded the bases multiple times during the inning, thanks to four walks, turning patient at-bats into a crooked number on the scoreboard. David Fry forced in a run with a bases-loaded walk before Daniel Schneemann lined a two-run single. Rookie Travis Bazzana later capped the inning with a two-run double to center field, extending the Guardians’ lead to 7-0.