Behind Geraldo Perdomo, D-backs vie for sweep of Guardians

Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo picked a great role model in Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramírez.

Perdomo has repaid Ramírez for his friendship by powering the Diamondbacks to a pair of wins in their three-game series in Cleveland, strengthening their hold on a National League wild-card spot.

Arizona's Merrill Kelly (8-8, 4.86 ERA) will be on the mound Sunday against Guardians counterpart Gavin Williams (10-6, 3.71 ERA).

Rain is expected throughout the afternoon in Northeast Ohio, making a postponement possible. The teams have three mutual off days on Sept. 10, 17 and 21.

Perdomo is 6-for-10 with a homer, four RBIs and two runs in the series, but said his favorite part of the weekend has been catching up with fellow Dominican Republic product Ramírez.

"This is a guy I love and he's my brother, we always keep in touch," Perdomo said. "He's one of my biggest mentors I have in baseball. I always enjoy my time playing against him, so to get a ‘W' against him means more than anything."

A seven-time All-Star, Ramirez took an interest in Perdomo early in his career, developing a close bond despite being seven years older at age 33. Both have often said they value their close friendship.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo, who began his managerial career in Cleveland's farm system and keeps close track of the Guardians, is a fan of both players.

"Jose has taken Geraldo under his wing and I think that's great," Lovullo said. "That's a good man to look up to and call a friend."

Ramírez still is rounding into form after missing five weeks with a broken left hamate bone that required surgery. He is 0-for-6 with three walks against Arizona and 7-for-37 in nine games since being activated off the injured list.

While the Diamondbacks are surging with 14 wins in their last 19 games, Cleveland is playing its worst ball of the season with a 2-8 mark since July 22. Arizona has outscored its hosts 16-9 in the two contests.

The Guardians have fallen out of first place in the American League Central and into a tie for the final wild-card spot with the Minnesota Twins. Instead of being a buyer at the trade deadline, thrifty Cleveland could wind up going in the other direction.

"We're going through it right now," Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. "We're really in it. But we're going to keep working hard and come out of it. That's what we do here, and we've done it time and time again."

Williams is working on a franchise-record string of four straight games with 11-plus strikeouts and one or fewer walks.

Over his last four starts, the hulking righty has amassed 45 strikeouts and just two walks over 27 innings. His record during the span is 1-2 with a 3.00 ERA, as five of the 15 hits allowed have been home runs.

Williams' lone appearance against the Diamondbacks was a road victory on Aug. 18, 2025, as he tossed 5 1/3 scoreless innings.

Kelly has only pitched against Cleveland once in his eight-year career, throwing seven shutout innings with eight strikeouts for the Texas Rangers in a home win on Aug. 24, 2025.

The 37-year-old was outstanding in July, posting a 3-0 record and 1.95 ERA over five starts. Kelly equally was as bad in June, losing all five of his outings while giving up 23 earned runs in 28 1/3 innings.

--Field Level Media