Guardians score 6 runs in 2nd inning and beat sloppy Red Sox 8-1 to prevent series sweep

BOSTON (AP) — Gabriel Arias hit a two-run homer that sparked a six-run second inning, and the Cleveland Guardians routed the sloppy Boston Red Sox 8-1 on Wednesday night to avoid a three-game sweep.

Steven Kwan had three hits and scored twice for the Guardians, and José Ramírez drove in two runs. Rookie left-hander Joey Cantillo (4-3) pitched six impressive innings, giving up one run on five hits and two walks with seven strikeouts.

Boston threw a pair of wild pitches in the first two innings and committed two costly errors in the second. The Red Sox began the day leading the majors with 103 errors this season.

Kwan doubled off opener Brennan Bernardino (4-3) to begin the game, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on Ramírez's groundout.

Jordan Hicks gave up a leadoff double to Bo Naylor in the second, and Arias launched his 10th homer of the season. Hicks permitted two more hits before Steven Matz allowed an RBI single to Kwan that made it 4-0.

Cleveland got another run when Boston catcher Connor Wong was called for interference. Kwan scored on Matz's wild pitch, and left fielder Jarren Duran misplayed Kyle Manzardo’s flyball for an error that allowed another run to score.

Boston, which won the season series 4-2, scored in the fourth when Nick Sogard’s two-out single knocked in Rob Refsnyder.

Bernardino got only two outs in his 54th appearance of the season and third start. After tossing a hitless ninth inning Tuesday, he became the first Red Sox pitcher to finish a game and start the team’s next game in the same season since Calvin Schiraldi in early September 1987 at Minnesota.

Kwan has hit safely in 11 of 13 career games at Fenway Park, batting .355 (22 for 62).

The Guardians open a four-game series at Tampa Bay on Thursday, with LHP Logan Allen (7-10, 4.42 ERA) scheduled to start opposite Rays RHP Ryan Pepiot (10-10, 3.70).

Boston is off Thursday before playing Friday night at Arizona.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Boston Red Sox pitcher Jordan Hicks, center right, gives the ball to manager Alex Cora while getting pulled in the second inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians at Fenway Park, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Cleveland Guardians' Steven Kwan, right, scores on a wild pitch as Boston Red Sox catcher Connor Wong chases the ball during the second inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran, right, watches as fans try to make a catch on a foul ball by Cleveland Guardians' Steven Kwan during the fifth inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Cleveland Guardians' Gabriel Arias, right, is congratulated by C.J. Kayfus (63) after his two-run home run in the second inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Cleveland Guardians' Gabriel Arias heads down the first base line on his two-run home run in the second inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

KOHALA, Hawai‘i--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 15, 2026--

Kuleana Rum Works, the Hawai‘i-based distillery known for its additive-free, award-winning rums, today announced the release of “An Open Letter on Additive-Free Rum,” written by Founder & CEO Steve Jefferson, addressing why rum is now facing the same scrutiny and market shift that reshaped tequila a decade ago.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260107792953/en/

Consumers across spirits are demanding more honesty about how products are made. Additive-free labeling has already transformed tequila and is reshaping whiskey and RTDs. Drinkers now expect producers to protect natural flavor instead of masking it, and bartenders increasingly use transparency as a measure of quality. The letter positions rum as the next category entering this accountability cycle, as more consumers begin to question undisclosed sweeteners, flavorings and added color.

Tequila provides the clearest precedent. Producers who embraced additive-free methods helped premiumize the category, while brands relying on undisclosed additives now face growing skepticism. According to the letter, rum is approaching the same turning point. Jefferson explains that Kuleana Rum Works was founded on additive-free principles: growing heirloom Hawaiian kō (sugarcane), fermenting and distilling fresh juice at lower proof to preserve natural character, adding nothing after distillation and holding all blending partners to the same standards. Every rum — whether distilled in Hawai‘i or sourced — is verified additive-free through independent lab testing and supplier documentation.

“Consumer expectations are changing fast across spirits,” said Steve Jefferson, Founder and CEO of Kuleana Rum Works. “People want honesty in what they drink, and they’re rewarding producers who protect natural flavor rather than covering it up. Additive-free isn’t a trend — it’s becoming the standard, and rum is now facing that shift head-on.”

Additional detail in the letter underscores how production choices such as fresh juice fermentation, low-proof distillation and a strict no-additives policy create transparency and flavor integrity that align with what the market is valuing.

About Kuleana Rum Works

Founded on the island of Hawai‘i in 2013, Kuleana Rum Works crafts award-winning, additive-free rums — led by its signature Hawaiian Rum Agricole® — from fresh kō (heirloom Hawaiian sugarcane) grown on its regenerative Kohala farm. Now available in 17 states and Japan, Kuleana Rum Works champions excellence, transparency and community stewardship. Visit kuleanarum.com to learn more.

https://kuleanarum.com/additive-free/