The Cleveland Guardians haven’t blown the competition away this year, but they are playing at a consistently competitive level.

Most teams struggle on the road, but Cleveland is 16-16 away from Progressive Field after beating the New York Yankees 4-0 last night.

Even with Aaron Judge getting his customary two hits, Luis Ortiz and three relievers combined to shut out the first-place Yankees on five hits.

Ortiz improved his record to 3-6. Considering the injury-plagued seasons of Andres Gimenez in Toronto and Spencer Horwitz in Pittsburgh, Cleveland may have won that series of trades.

QUICK ATTACK

Cleveland jumped on Yankees starter Clarke Schmidt (2-3) for three runs in the top of the first inning.

Steven Kwan walked, and Angel Martinez launched a 394-foot homer to right center field.

Jose Ramirez doubled and scored two outs later on a double by Daniel Schneemann.

Cleveland held onto the 3-0 lead until the eighth, when Kyle Manzardo provided an insurance run with his 11th homer of the season.

BULLPEN EXCELLENCE

Tim Herrin and Hunter Gaddis made sure Ortiz’s efforts didn’t go to waste by preserving the shutout.

Emmanuel Clase gave up a pair of hits in the ninth, but he recorded three strikeouts in a non-save situation.

Cleveland is still in third place in the AL Central Division, 6½ games behind the Detroit Tigers. But strong performances like last night’s effort should give the fans hope.

The series will wrap up at 7:05 p.m. on the MLB Network. Slade Cecconi (1-1) will start for the Guardians against the Yankees’ Max Fried (7-1).