CLEVELAND (AP) — Jhonkensy Noel hit a home run for the second straight game and Matthew Boyd pitched six effective innings for his first win in more than a year, helping the Cleveland Guardians to a 4-2 victory over the Texas Rangers on Sunday.
Noel hit a solo home run in the second inning against Cody Bradford (4-2), a massive 413-footer to center. It was the 12th home run for the 23-year-old rookie since his debut on June 26, tying him with Russell Branyan for the most home runs by a Cleveland player in his first 41 games.
“I’m just following the advice of the best player in the world, (teammate) José Ramírez,” Noel said through an interpreter. “I know what kind of hitter I am, but I’m still adapting and learning and trying to put the ball in play.”
The 6’3″, 250-pound Noel also ran quickly to the bases in the seventh inning to score another run. He reached first base on a wild pitch on the third strike and scored on a throwing error by reliever Jose Leclerc.
“When you hurry up and do things like that, you make it easier for the team and show that you are doing the right thing,” he said.
The Guardians extended their lead in the AL Central to three games over Kansas City and Minnesota. The Royals begin a four-game series with a doubleheader in Cleveland on Monday.
Boyd (1-0) allowed one run and three hits in his third start since returning from Tommy John surgery. The left-hander had four strikeouts in his first win for Detroit since June 21, 2023 against Kansas City.
“I didn’t even think it was a win until my dad texted me,” Boyd said with a laugh. “He told me to go get a ball, so I did.”
David Fry hit a home run in the eighth inning and Ramírez had a sacrifice fly and two stolen bases for the Guardians, who have a 2-1 record in 10 home games and have not lost a season series to the Rangers since 2016.
Emmanuel Clase struck out the team in the ninth inning for his AL-record 38th save. It was Clase’s first save since August 13 and his 25th consecutive conversion hit.
“It’s really fun because after catching Clase many times, I can explain, yes, he’s going to throw a back-foot fastball, which is not possible,” Fry said. “He throws them at 102 (mph) and we can see why he’s the best in the world.”
Bradford lost his second straight start, allowing two runs in six innings. The left-hander made a throwing error that led to Steven Kwan scoring an unearned run.
Corey Seager hit a home run for Texas and Jonah Heim hit an RBI double.
“That was probably our worst game fundamentally,” said Rangers manager Bruce Bochy. “We just didn’t do the basic things today.”
TRAINING ROOM
Rangers: RHP Jacob deGrom (right elbow surgery) will make his second rehab appearance at Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday. The 36-year-old pitched two innings and allowed one run in his first appearance for Double-A Frisco.
Guardians: RHP Alex Cobb (right fingernail tear) and RHP Carlos Carrasco (left hip strain) are scheduled to take live batting practice this week at Progressive Field. Both starters are on the 15-day injured list.
Next
Rangers: LHP Andrew Heaney (4-13, 4.04 ERA) faces White Sox LHP Garrett Crochet (6-9, 3.64 ERA) in the opener of a three-game series in Chicago on Tuesday.
Guardians: RHP Nick Sandlin (7-0, 3.88 ERA) and LHP Logan Allen (8-4, 5.56 ERA) will be the starters in a split doubleheader against Kansas City on Monday.
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