By virtue of a 10-4 victory over the Rangers in Texas, the Cleveland Guardians ensured they finished the regular season at the first echelon of the American Central Division on Sunday.
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This is the first time the Ohio club has done so since the 2018 campaign. It is also the first time in major league baseball history that a team has won a division title having seen at least 16 players make their debut in the circuit during the season.
The Guardians were powered by rookie Steven Kwan in their win of the day. The 25-year-old outfielder hit a grand slam in the eighth inning. He also put his own team in the lead when he hit a single that allowed Tyler Freeman to step on the plate in the third period.
The win was added to starter Aaron Civale’s record (3-6). The right-hander gave up two runs and three hits in five innings of work. He also passed seven rivals in the mitt. Gunner Cole Rangans (0-3) will have to wait before signing his first career win, he who played an eighth game in the major leagues.
An offensive festival in favor of the Royals
In Kansas City, the Royals scored 11 runs in the sixth inning to edge the Seattle Mariners 13-12.
Only Michael Massey hit a long ball during the winners’ productive at-bat. In addition to his two-run cannon shot, he also allowed two teammates to complete their lap of the trails with a single.
MJ Melendez, Bobby Witt Jr., Edward Olivares, Ryan O’Hearn and Hunter Dozier drove in the other Royals runs in the sixth.
Before the crowd favorites hit an 11-point inning, the Mariners also enjoyed a moment of grace on offense. Indeed, the visitors scored eight points in the fifth. It should be noted, however, that three of his successes were obtained because of the largesse of the opposing gunners.
Used as a substitute from the fifth, Quebecer Abraham Toro walked the plate twice, hit a hit and got a walk.