CLEVELAND — Angel Martínez’s afternoon began with a fielding error that may have allowed the Athletics’ to score first. It got a lot better from there.
Returning after missing five days with right-side and flank inflammation, Martínez collected four hits, homered from both sides of the plate and drove in four runs as the Guardians defeated the Athletics 12-6 Saturday at Progressive Field.
Martínez finished a triple shy of the cycle and accumulated 11 total bases, the most by a Cleveland player this season. He also scored three times while helping the Guardians pound out 15 hits and improve to 80-75. Not bad for someone who had not played since Sunday.
The Athletics scored twice against Tanner Bibee before Cleveland came to bat. Zack Gelof singled home Shea Langeliers on a play that included Martínez’s fielding error in left, then Donovan Walton brought home Lawrence Butler with another single.
That lead lasted approximately as long as it took Cleveland’s lineup to get one look at Jacob Lopez.
Steven Kwan and José Ramírez reached ahead of Chase DeLauter, who launched a three-run homer to center field. Martínez then followed Jo Adell’s single with a two-run shot of his own, giving the Guardians a 5-2 lead before the first inning ended.
So much for easing into the afternoon.
Walton drove home Butler again during the third inning, but Cleveland responded with four consecutive run-scoring hits in the bottom half. David Fry doubled home DeLauter and Martínez, Austin Hedges followed with an RBI double, Brayan Rocchio doubled home Hedges and Kwan capped the five-run inning with a run-scoring single.
The Guardians led 10-3, and Lopez’s afternoon was mercifully finished. He allowed 10 runs and 10 hits in 2? innings.
Henry Bolte brought home Alika Williams during the fourth, but Martínez answered again by sending his second homer of the game into the right-field seats. It was his 17th of the season and gave Cleveland an 11-4 advantage.
The Athletics produced their final two runs when Walton homered during the fifth inning. Walton finished 3-for-3 with four RBIs, but his big afternoon barely registered next to what Martínez accomplished.
Martínez went 4-for-5 with a double, two home runs, three runs and four RBIs. His first homer came from the right side of the plate and his second from the left, making him the first Guardians player to homer from both sides in the same game this season.
DeLauter added two hits, scored twice and drove in three with his 15th homer. Kwan and Ramírez each collected two hits, while seven of Cleveland’s nine starters recorded at least one.
Bibee was not nearly as sharp as the lineup supporting him. He surrendered six runs and 12 hits over 4? innings, throwing 95 pitches before Matt Festa replaced him. The bullpen made certain the offensive eruption held up.
Festa, Tim Herrin and Slade Cecconi combined for 4? hitless innings after Bibee departed. Cecconi retired all six batters he faced and earned the victory, improving to 5-7.
Cleveland’s lineup erased an early deficit almost immediately, continued adding runs and gave the bullpen more than enough room to finish the job. Martínez even turned an ugly beginning into the finest offensive performance of his season.
One error, four hits, two home runs and a Guardians victory.
Baseball offers plenty of opportunities for redemption. Martínez needed less than three hours.
What’s Next: Cleveland will complete its three-game series against the Athletics Sunday at Progressive Field.
