Guardians Dominate Padres Post All-Star Break

The Cleveland Guardians emerged from the All-Star break with a strong 7-0 win over the San Diego Padres, highlighted by a six-run eighth inning. Despite recent struggles, Cleveland holds the best record in the American League and a 4 1/2 game lead in the AL Central. The Guardians' offense, which had been stifled by Padres' knuckleballer Matt Waldron, broke through with key hits from Jose Ramirez and Brayan Rocchio. Cleveland's need for roster upgrades ahead of the trade deadline is evident, despite their overall strong position. Meanwhile, the Padres, struggling with injuries and inconsistent performance, remain in contention for a wild-card spot but need improvements to ensure playoff success.