CLEVELAND, OH--- The Guardians had an offensive explosion on a chilly, fall-like night at Progressive Field, defeating the visiting Texas Rangers 12-3 Friday night. The Rangers coming in were in a fight for first place in the AL West, just a half game behind the first place Houston Astros (83-64). The Guardians offense backed a dominate start from Lucas Giolito, who only gave up 2 hits in 7 innings while striking out 12 Texas batters.
The Guardians would see 2 great performances form both Andres Gimenez and Josh Naylor. Both batters had 3 RBI a piece, with 2 hits for Gimenez and 4 from Naylor. Gimenez would start early, getting his first hit and first 2 RBI with a 2 run homer in the 2nd inning, the 3rd would come in the 6th inning Guardians' explosion, hitting a clutch 2 out RBI single. Naylor would get his first with an RBI single in the 4th, he would also partake in the 6th inning explosion that would see 4 doubles from him, younger brother Bo, Jose Ramirez, and Will Brennan to account for 5 runs in the 6th. Naylor would then get his 4th hit and 3rd RBI with another RBI single in the 7th inning. Every Cleveland starter got a hit Friday night. The Rangers attempted an unlikely comeback in the 9th, with a solo home run from Sam Huff and a 2 run single with the bases loaded from familiar name Austin Hedges, but Eli Morgan kept the game under control and got the Guardians out safe with the win.
The Guardians will send Tanner Biebee to the mound Saturday evening with the Rangers still in town, first pitch is set for 6:10.