José Ramirez breaks Larry Doby’s team record for go-ahead homers as Guardians top Tigers 2-1

On May 7, 2024By Vaseline

CLEVELAND — José Ramírez hit a solo homer in the sixth inning, breaking Hall of Famer Larry Doby’s franchise record with his 87th career start and beating the Cleveland Guardians to a 2-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Monday night.

Ramírez’s drive-off starter Jack Flaherty (0-2) hit the foul pole in right field, snapping a 1-all tie that had stood since the first. The Guardians have the second-best record in the American League at 23-12.

“Ramírez is one of the best hitters in the league and I made one mistake against him – and he took advantage,” Flaherty said. “The one pitch I pulled all the way across the plate had to be in. I hated the location of it.”

Nick Sandlin (3-0) worked 1 1/3 innings for the win and Emmanuel Clase earned his 11th save, tying for the lead for most players in the Majors. Sandlin, Clase and teammate Scott Barlow share the big league lead with 19 appearances.

“Nick is my pacifier. Whatever situation we’ve put him in, he’s been great,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. “And we have a pretty good guy who gets three outs in the ninth, and that’s not for everyone.”

Flaherty struck out six in six innings, extending his winless streak to 12 starts. The right-hander is 0-5 with a 5.98 ERA since beating Toronto on August 3, 2023 while pitching for Baltimore.

Riley Greene homered on the first pitch of the game for Detroit, which lost its fourth straight game. It was his second leadoff home run this season and the third in his three-year career.

“I always attack the first pitch because that might be the only good one you get,” Greene said. “I just try to hit the ball hard.”

Will Brennan singled in Estevan Florial for Cleveland’s first run. Guardians starter Triston McKenzie worked five innings, allowing one run and striking out six.

Twenty-nine of Ramírez’s 223 home runs came against the Tigers, the most among active players.

“Maybe it’s because I see them more than the other teams, but I’ve never thought about that,” Ramírez said through an interpreter. “I just come in, compete and try to do my best.”

Kyle Manzardo – the Guardians’ top power-hitting prospect – made his major league debut and struck out in all three at-bats as the designated hitter.

The 23-year-old Manzardo, acquired from Tampa Bay last July for pitcher Aaron Civale, hit .303 with nine home runs and 20 RBIs in 29 games with Triple-A Columbus.

Earlier in the day, Cleveland placed AL batting leader Steven Kwan on the injured list with a left hamstring strain. The two-time Gold Glove left fielder, who is batting .353, is expected to miss four weeks.

Tigers: OF Wenceel Pérez (illness) returned after missing one game, coming on in the sixth inning. Detroit manager AJ Hinch planned to give the rookie another day off.

Guardians: LHP Sam Hentges (left middle finger inflammation) was activated. He threw 6 2/3 scoreless innings in a rehab stint with Columbus and Double-A Akron.

Tigers RHP Kenta Maeda (1-1, 5.02 ERA) faces Guardians LHP Logan Allen (3-2, 5.11) in the second game of the series. Maeda picked up his first win with Detroit against St. Louis last week.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb