Carlos Santana belted a grand slam, Lane Thomas hit a three-run homer and Logan Allen pitched six solid innings as the Cleveland Guardians crushed the visiting Cincinnati Reds 11-2 on Wednesday afternoon.
Santana went deep in the third inning off Nick Lodolo (4-5) to drive in Angel Martinez, Thomas and Jose Ramirez as Cleveland seized a 5-0 lead in the finale of the three-game series. Santana’s sixth career grand slam occurred on the 15th anniversary of his major-league debut with Cleveland.
The 39-year-old Santana became the second-oldest player in franchise history to hit a grand slam. He ranks eighth in major league history among switch-hitters with 332 homers.
Thomas’ shot to right highlighted a four-run sixth, when the Guardians opened the frame with five consecutive hits off Joe La Sorsa to extend their advantage to 11-2. Thomas had been 3-for-31 this season with men on base.
Allen (4-4) allowed just four hits, which included solo homers by TJ Friedl and Elly De La Cruz. The left-hander struck out six and walked one to move his ERA to 1.50 in two career starts against Cincinnati.
Ramirez extended his on-base streak to 37 games with an RBI double while Martinez and Thomas had three hits apiece. Cleveland salvaged the final game of the series and finished 1-5 against the Reds in the annual battle for the Ohio Cup.
Guardians third-string catcher Dom Nunez had two singles — his first hits in the majors since May 11, 2022, with the Colorado Rockies — and scored twice.
Reds starter Nick Lodolo (4-5) was rocked for six runs on five hits over 3 1/3 innings, which included six strikeouts and two walks. Cincinnati had its five-game winning streak snapped but lost for just the second time in eight games.
Reds outfielder Will Benson, who did not play Wednesday, claimed the Frank Robinson Most Outstanding Player honor that is given each year to the top player in Ohio Cup play. He batted .474 with four homers and eight RBIs in five games versus the Guardians. Benson was selected over Cincinnati pitcher Andrew Abbott, who went 2-0 with 14 scoreless innings during the season series.
–Field Level Media
