Carlos Santana slam powers Guardians past Reds

Carlos Santana belted a grand slam, Lane Thomas hit a three-run homer and Logan Allen pitched six solid innings as the Cleveland Guardians crushed the visiting Cincinnati Reds 11-2 on Wednesday afternoon.

Santana went deep in the third inning off Nick Lodolo (4-5), scoring Angel Martinez, Thomas and Jose Ramirez as Cleveland seized a 5-0 lead in the finale of the three-game series. The moment occurred on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of his major-league debut with Cleveland.

The 39-year-old Santana became the second-oldest player in franchise history to hit a grand slam. He ranks eighth in major-league history among switch-hitters with 332 homers.

Thomas' shot to right highlighted a four-run sixth, when the Guardians opened the frame with five consecutive hits off Joe La Sorsa to extend their advantage to build an eight-run advantage. Thomas had been 3-for-31 this season with men on base.

Allen (4-4) allowed two runs on solo homers by TJ Friedl and Elly De La Cruz, while he surrendered four hits. The left-hander struck out six and walked one and owns a 1.50 ERA in two career starts against Cincinnati.

Ramirez extended his on-base streak to 37 games with an RBI double, while Martinez and Thomas had three hits apiece. Cleveland salvaged the final game of the series and finished 1-5 against the Reds in the annual battle for the Ohio Cup.

Guardians third-string catcher Dom Nunez had two singles, his first hits in the majors since 2022 with the Colorado Rockies, and scored twice.

Lodolo was rocked for six runs on five hits in 3 1/3 innings, striking out six with a pair of walks. Cincinnati had its five-game winning streak snapped but lost for just the second time in eight games.

Reds outfielder Will Benson, who did not play Wednesday, was named the Frank Robinson Most Outstanding Player award that is given each year to the top player in Ohio Cup play. He hit four home runs with eight RBIs in the six games.Benson was selected over Cincinnati pitcher Andrew Abbott went 2-0 with 14 scoreless innings during the season series.

--Field Level Media