Luis Ortiz matched his career high of 10 strikeouts and Jose Ramirez and Steven Kwan each had three hits and an RBI to lead the Cleveland Guardians to a 4-2 victory over the Athletics on June 21 at West Sacramento, Calif.
Ortiz (4-8) allowed two hits and two walks over six shutout innings to win for just the second time in his past eight decisions. The victory was just Cleveland’s fifth in the last 15 games.
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One of Ramirez’s hits was a run-scoring single in the second inning for his 900th career RBI. Kyle Manzardo had two hits for the Guardians, who scored all their runs in the second inning.
Emmanuel Clase worked a perfect ninth inning for his 17th save as Cleveland evened the three-game series at one game apiece.
Luis Urias had two hits for the Athletics, who struck out 13 times and lost for just the third time in the past nine games.
Mitch Spence (2-2) of the A’s gave up four runs and eight hits over 4⅔ innings. He struck out three and walked one.
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Luis L. Ortiz throws a pitch against the Athletics on June 21, 2025, in West Sacramento, California.
Cleveland sent nine batters to the plate and had five hits during the four-run second inning.
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Nolan Jones walked with one out before Bo Naylor doubled him in. Johnathan Rodriguez followed with a bouncing double just inside the third-base bag to make it 2-0.
One out later, Kwan singled to drive in Rodriguez, and Manzardo followed with a single to put runners on the corners. Ramirez then hit a single to make it 4-0.
Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson tags out Cleveland Guardians baserunner Jose Ramirez (11) on June 21, 2025, in West Sacramento, California.
Oakland scored in the seventh after Ortiz departed in favor of Cade Smith. JJ Bleday drew a one-out walk, moved to third on a single by Urias and scored on a double by Austin Wynns.
The Athletics added another run in the eighth as Brent Rooker led off with a triple against Hunter Gaddis and scored on a line-drive sacrifice fly to left by Max Muncy.
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Cleveland was 3-for-17 with runners in scoring position with all the hits coming in the second. The A’s were 2-for-8.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Jose Ramirez, Steven Kwan each have 3 hits; Guardians beat Athletics