CLEVELAND — Angel Martinez belted a grand slam and had a career-high four hits, and rookie Chase DeLauter delivered a two-run double to lift the Cleveland Guardians to a 10-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Martinez launched a 374-foot shot to right off Steven Cruz in the eighth inning, when the Guardians scored five times to blow open what was a 5-2 game. Rhys Hoskins had a career-best three doubles as Cleveland tied its season high with 16 hits.<\/p>\n
Guardians starter Joey Cantillo (1-0) struck out nine over 5 2\/3 innings, allowing one earned run and one unearned run on three hits. Matt Festa worked 1 1\/3 scoreless innings for his first save since July 7, 2022, with Seattle.<\/p>\n
DeLauter, who leads all rookies with five homers and 11 RBIs, drove in Jos\u00e9 Ram\u00edrez and David Fry in the first with a drive off the wall against Cole Ragans (0-3). Hoskins followed with a double that made the Guardians\u2019 lead 3-0.<\/p>\n
Ragans had been struck on his left thumb by a comebacker from Ram\u00edrez, forcing him to exit two batters later after DeLauter\u2019s double. He was charged with three runs in 2\/3 of an inning, later being diagnosed with a contusion.<\/p>\n
The Royals pulled within 4-1 in the fourth on an RBI double by Bobby Witt Jr., and then added a run in the fifth when Lane Thomas scored on an error by Steven Kwan. Cleveland committed two errors after only making one in its first 12 games.<\/p>\n
Ram\u00edrez and Juan Brito also had RBI doubles for the Guardians, who are 3-0-1 in series this season.<\/p>\n
Kansas City outfielder Tyler Tolbert made his pitching debut with 2\/3 scoreless innings.<\/p>\n
Royals: RHP Seth Lugo (1-0, 1.59 ERA) starts Thursday at home against the White Sox.<\/p>\n
Guardians: RHP Slade Cecconi (0-1, 5.23 ERA) takes the ball Friday in Atlanta.<\/p>\n
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