CLEVELAND — With the American and Canadian flags flying high at Progressive Field, the Guardians welcomed the Toronto Blue Jays to town for the opener of a three-game series Friday night.

Pride Flags were also be displayed at game time, as Friday night was Pride Night at the ballpark.

Carlos Carrasco took the mound for the Guardians as he tried to find his footing during his age-37 season. Carrasco entered with a 5.80 ERA. He and Ben Lively were pushed into larger roles due to the injuries sustained by Shane Bieber and Gavin Williams. Lively has pitched well, but Carrasco hadn't yet found his groove until Friday night.

Check back here for live score updates, analysis and highlights throughout Friday night's game.

Guardians beat the Toronto Blue Jays 7-1

That seven-run second inning was all the Guardians needed with Carlos Carrasco turning in arguably his best outing of the season and the Cleveland bullpen coming through with the help of some nice defense by shortstop Brayan Rocchio.

The Guardians are now 47-26 this season.

Brayan Rocchio putting on a defensive display; Guardians lead Blue Jays 7-1

While the Blue Jays have struggled defensively, Brayan Rocchio has putting on a personal show. He now has two brilliant plays at shortstop to help first Carlos Carrasco and now reliever Pedro Avila.

Carlos Carrasco velocity up, strikes out season-high seven batters against Blue Jays

Carlos Carrasco put together arguably his best — and most encouraging for the Guardians — outing of the season Friday night.

Carrasco allowed just one hit on four hits with a season-high seven strikeouts in six innings. The lone blemish was a Vladimir Guerrero Jr. home run in the fourth.

Carrasco's average fastball velocity was 92.9 mph, up 1.6 mph from his season average of 91.3 mph.

The Guardians are holding onto a 7-1 lead entering the seventh inning. Somewhat amazingly with a six-run difference, both teams have four hits tonight.

Josh Naylor single, Blue Jays error brings home two runs; Guardians have seven-run second inning

The Blue Jays have made a few defensive miscues, and the Guardians have made them pay dearly for it.

With two runners on, Josh Naylor grounded a ball lightly to the right side of the infield. It was fielded by first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., but pitcher Bowden Francis couldn't handle the throw. The ball got away from him, and both runners scored, making it a seven-run second inning and a 7-0 Guardians lead.

The seven runs are the most in an inning for the Guardians this season.

Steven Kwan RBI fielder's choice makes it a four-run inning for Guardians over Blue Jays

Steven Kwan followed Hedges by lining a ball up the middle, and it went off the glove of shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa and trickled into center field, making it 4-0 in the second inning.

Unfortunately, Hedges had retreated to first base and was thrown out at second, costing Kwan a hit. Still, Kwan is batting .392 during his chase for a .400 season.

Later in the inning, Jose Ramirez lined a ball to right field to score Kwan and give the Guardians an early 5-0 lead. That was made possible via an error by Blue Jays second baseman Orelvis Martinez, which extended the inning.

Austin Hedges two-run single extends Guardians lead over Toronto Blue Jays

Blue Jays starting pitcher Yariel Rodriguez couldn't escape the second inning.

The Guardians loaded the bases via a gift of a double from Josh Naylor (mostly due to a miscommunication in the Blue Jays' outfield) and two walks.

Johnathan Rodriguez walked on four pitches to make it 1-0, and with one out, Austin Hedges ripped a ball down the third-base line that hit off Addison Barger's gloves, scoring two more runs.

The Blue Jays then went to the bullpen, bringing in Bowden Francis.

Below is some pregame information.

Guardians promote Angel Martinez, place Gabriel Arias on the Family Medical Emergency List

The Guardians have called up Angel Martinez to the majors to replace utility man Gabriel Arias, who will be away from the team for a bit after being placed on the Family Medical Emergency List.

Martinez, 22, is yet another highly-regarded Guardians middle infield prospect. This season, he hit .333 with a .988 OPS with Triple-A Columbus. Martinez has dealt with a few injuries in 2024, including a bruised right foot and a fractured hamate bone in his hand/wrist.

Andres Gimenez youth camp a hit with kids

Andres Gimenez held his annual youth camp at Lutheran West High School this week.

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt discusses the death of all-time great Willie Mays

The game of baseball lost a legend Tuesday, when the San Francisco Giants confirmed that Hall-of-Fame outfielder Willie Mays, one of the sport's icons, passed away at the age of 93.

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt's father idolized Mays. Vogt discussed Mays' meaning to their family and the impact he had on the sport.

Can Steven Kwan put together a .400 season in 2024?

Steven Kwan entered this series hitting .398. He's now chasing history as he tries to reach one of the game's biggest milestones.

Mike Hargrove, wife share Cleveland baseball memories in Akron

Former Cleveland manager Mike Hargrove shared some baseball tales with the Akron Beacon Journal.

Does David Fry have a 2024 MLB All-Star Game case with the Guardians?

David Fry has been among the game's best hitters by some metrics, but does he have a case to be named to the 2024 AL All-Star team?

Daniel Schneemann debut is a baseball classic tale

Daniel Schneemann made his major league debut and jumped on the first pitch he saw in the major leagues for a two-run double. It completed a long, grinding road to the majors for a former 33rd-round draft pick.

Browns cornerback Denzel Ward throws a wild ceremonial first pitch at Guardians game

Browns cornerback Denzel Ward tossed the ceremonial first pitch at a recent game at Progressive Field and, well, it was eventful.

Guardians City Connect uniforms unveiled

The Guardians wore their new Nike City Connect uniforms for the first time against the Minnesota Twins.

Guardians schedule, next game

The Guardians began a six-game homestand Tuesday night against the Seattle Mariners. After winning two games in the three-game series against the Mariners, the Guardians welcome the Toronto Blue Jays to Progressive Field. Cleveland will then travel to Baltimore and Kansas City on an upcoming road trip.

How can I watch, listen or stream the Cleveland Guardians game tonight?

The game will be broadcast locally on Bally Sports. It'll be broadcast on the radio by WTAM (1100-AM) and WARF (1350-AM, Spanish broadcast).

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Guardians score today vs. Toronto Blue Jays Pride Night