Just wait until the weather heats up, then the Cleveland Guardians’ bats will get going. That can sometimes feel like a nice mantra to repeat in March and April when the weather is cold, and the bats are struggling early on.
But on Sunday, with the temperature at 79 degrees during first-pitch, that old saying reigned true. Cleveland’s bats were alive and well during their 10-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds to take the series.
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Not only did the Guardians score runs, but they played a home run derby against their in-state rival. Cleveland ended up scoring all 10 of their run-of-the-game homers.
Sunday’s performance by the Guardians marked the fifth time in their last five games that they have had a game with five or more home runs.
The first home run of the game came in the first inning, with a two-run shot by Chase DeLauter. His first home run since May 3 came off the bat at 105.3 mph and traveled 371 feet.
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The next Guardians player to hit one over the fence was Kyle Manzardo, who knocked in three runs with his fly ball. The left-handed slugger didn’t stop there, though, because in the fifth inning, Manzrdo smashed his second long ball of the game.
In this game alone, Manzardo doubled his season total in home runs from two to four, which is a great sign for him after a slow start.
Brayan Rocchio also continued his damage from hitting in the ninth hole, with a solo home run of his own in the fourth inning, and Angel Martinez continued his recent successful stretch, with a two-run homer of his own.
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May 17, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians left fielder Angel Martinez (1) celebrates with shortstop Brayan Rocchio (4) after hitting a home run during the seventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
The last home run of the game came off the bat of Jose Ramirez, who smashed a two-run shot in the eighth inning. Ramirez has been off to an uncharacteristically slow start this year and hasn’t homered since April 19. Vogt recently moved him into the two-hole in the lineup, though, and that seems to have gotten the superstar going again.
Zeroing in on just Sunday’s victory, yes, it was a great win for the Guardians. However, looking at the bigger picture all this outing, it also shows the overall growth the team is making.
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Cleveland could have only dreamed about this type of production for Rocchio and Martinez in the lineup, and now they’re getting that on a consistent basis. Throw in DeLauter’s day and the production from the mainstays in Ramirez and Manzardo performing, and this group has a high ceiling when everyone is performing well.
As a team, the Guardians have now hit 50 home runs this season, which ranks 15th in MLB, after their six-homer day.
It feels like a cliche in Cleveland, but a necessary one to add; hopefully, as the weather looks like it’ll stay hot, so will the Guardians bats.
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