LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — In a matchup defying preseason projections and betting lines, the Cleveland Guardians capitalized on a decisive seventh-inning rally and six dominant innings from starter Parker Messick to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-2 on Monday night at Dodger Stadium.

A crowd of 52,173 watched as the Guardians, installed as significant underdogs, handed the Dodgers their first loss of the young season. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 7-5 Dodgers victory, giving Los Angeles a 66.4 percent probability to win. The combined six runs fell well under the over/under line of 9.

The most important sequence of the game unfolded in the top of the seventh inning, breaking open a tense pitchers’ duel. Cleveland, leading 1-0, loaded the bases with no outs against Dodgers reliever Justin Wrobleski on singles by Austin Hedges and Angel Martínez and a perfectly placed bunt single by Steven Kwan. Wrobleski nearly escaped unscathed, getting Chase DeLauter to line out and José Ramírez to fly out. But with two outs, Rhys Hoskins worked a full-count walk to force in Hedges, doubling the lead.

Daniel Schneemann then delivered the crushing blow, lacing a two-run double to center field off Wrobleski, scoring Martínez and Kwan to extend the Guardians’ lead to 4-0. That three-run outburst provided crucial insurance and ultimately decided the contest.

The victory improved Cleveland to 3-2, while the Dodgers fell to 3-1.

The game was a stark contrast in pitching fortunes. Cleveland’s Parker Messick, earning the win to move to 1-0, was brilliant in his six innings of work. He allowed five hits, walked none and struck out five, consistently working out of minimal trouble. The Dodgers put a runner in scoring position just once against him, in the third inning, but Messick induced a lineout from Shohei Ohtani and a strikeout from Kyle Tucker to end the threat.

Conversely, Dodgers’ prized starter Roki Sasaki took the loss, falling to 0-1. He was effective but not overpowering over four innings, allowing one run on four hits with four strikeouts. The lone damage against him came in the third when Hedges led off with a double, was bunted to third by Martínez and scored on Kwan’s RBI double.

The Dodgers’ offense, which had averaged over five runs per game in their opening series, was stifled until a futile ninth-inning rally. Erik Sabrowski and Shawn Armstrong combined for 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief behind Messick. In the ninth, Armstrong allowed a leadoff single to Tucker and an RBI double to Mookie Betts. After a groundout, Freddie Freeman grounded out to first, allowing Betts to score, but Armstrong got Andy Pages to ground out to end the game.

Cleveland’s Steven Kwan led a nine-hit attack, going 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored. Martínez added two hits and scored a run, while Schneemann’s key double accounted for his two RBIs. The Dodgers also collected nine hits, with Betts driving in one of their two runs.

The Guardians’ bullpen, which included a key 1 1/3-inning, one-strikeout stint from Sabrowski, sealed the win after the seventh-inning offensive breakout. Dodgers reliever Tanner Scott had a strong inning, striking out two in a scoreless eighth.

The game was played in a brisk 2 hours, 34 minutes.

Cleveland arrived in Los Angeles after splitting a four-game series in Seattle, which included a 10-inning win and an 8-0 loss. The Dodgers entered having swept a three-game set from Arizona.

The two teams will continue their series Tuesday and Wednesday at Dodger Stadium before both embark on their next road trips. Cleveland returns home to face the Chicago Cubs on Friday to start a six-game homestand. The Dodgers will head east for a three-game series against the Washington Nationals beginning Friday.