David Fry belted a three-run homer to highlight a five-run second inning, fueling the host Cleveland Guardians to a 9-4 victory over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday afternoon.
Austin Hedges launched a two-run homer and rookie Chase DeLauter had an RBI single among his three hits to help the Guardians salvage the finale of their three-game series.
Cleveland starter Joey Cantillo (7-3) allowed two runs on three hits and overcame five walks in five innings to improve to 3-0 in the left-hander’s last four starts.
Nicky Lopez ripped a two-run double in the sixth inning to bring Texas within two runs at 5-3, however DeLauter’s RBI single and Rhys Hoskins’ bases-loaded walk doubled the advantage in the seventh.
Hedges provided an extra bit of cushion in the eighth by belting his second homer of the season.
Elias Diaz launched a solo homer in the eighth and Ezequiel Duran collected three hits for the Rangers, who saw their six-game winning streak come to a halt.
Cleveland loaded the bases to lead off the second inning before Hedges’ sacrifice bunt plated Brayan Rocchio with the game’s first run.
The Guardians were far from done, however, as Daniel Schneemann walked to reload the bases and Gabriel Arias scored on a wild pitch from MacKenzie Gore (5-7). Fry provided the big blow by depositing a 2-2 fastball from Gore over the wall in right-center field to stake Cleveland to a 5-0 lead. The homer was Fry’s fifth of the season and first since June 18.
Texas benefited from Cantillo’s struggles with his control to score its first run. Two walks and a single loaded the bases to begin the third before Kyle Higashioka received a free pass on six pitches from Cantillo.
Gore permitted five runs on seven hits with one walk and seven strikeouts in five innings.
–Field Level Media
