Jose Ramirez hit a slump-busting, go-ahead two-run homer in the sixth, then scored two innings later on Josh Naylor’s home run as the Cleveland Guardians beat the visiting Los Angeles Angels 4-1 on Sunday.
Mired in an 0-for-19 drought, Ramirez crushed the 10th pitch of his at-bat against Los Angeles starter Griffin Canning (1-4) well over the right-center field wall with a runner on first to put Cleveland ahead 2-1. It was the sixth homer of the season for Ramirez, who walked in the eighth, stole second and went to third on a wild throw from catcher Matt Thaiss before coming home when Naylor went deep to nearly the same spot.
That was enough for the American League Central-leading Guardians to win their second straight and take the three-game set following a 2-4 road trip to Atlanta and Houston.
Carlos Carrasco (2-2) rebounded from allowing 13 runs in nine innings over his last two starts. He yielded a run, six hits and two walks through six innings on Sunday. Cleveland relievers Scott Barlow, Tim Herrin and Emmanuel Clase (10 saves) held the Angels hitless the rest of the way.
Cole Tucker had a pair of hits for Los Angeles, which has dropped 13 of 16 and fell to 3-25 at Cleveland since the start of the 2015 season.
Canning was in control for most of the day, allowing two hits entering the sixth inning. However, that’s when he issued a one-out single to Andres Gimenez. Ramirez then followed with his marathon at-bat, capped by the no-doubt homer to change the complexion of the contest.
The Angels struck first when Willie Calhoun continued a strong start to his Los Angeles career with a double to center field to open the second inning. He then moved to third base on a wild pitch and scored via Jo Adell’s long flyout to left field.
Calhoun, called up from Triple-A Salt Lake earlier this week to make his Angels debut, went 5-for-12 with three doubles in this series.
Naylor’s homer was his eighth of the season for Cleveland, which is 10-5 at home.
–Field Level Media