CLEVELAND — The Kansas City Royals entered Sunday looking to complete a three-game sweep of the Cleveland Guardians and appeared ready to do just that when Salvador Perez singled home Jac Caglianone to give his team the early lead. Cleveland’s offense, however, had other plans.
Cleveland immediately answered against Royals starter Seth Lugo (6-8). Steven Kwan doubled with one out and advanced to third on an error before José Ramírez tied the game with a sacrifice fly. After Chase DeLauter drew a two-out walk, former Red Nathaniel Lowe launched his 15th home run of the season over the left-center-field wall, giving the Guardians a 3-1 lead.
That was more than enough support for Messick, who settled in after Kansas City’s three-hit first inning. The left-hander held the Royals scoreless over the next five frames, allowing one run on five hits and two walks while striking out five over six innings.
The Guardians broke the game open in the third. Kwan and DeLauter singled before Ramírez walked to load the bases with nobody out. Jo Adell followed with a two-run double down the left-field line, and Lowe added a sacrifice fly to extend Cleveland’s lead to 6-1.
The Guardians added two more runs in the sixth. Ramírez recorded his fourth RBI of the afternoon with a single—also the 1,000th single of his career—and Adell capped the scoring with an RBI single of his own.
Tim Herrin, Hunter Gaddis and Cade Smith followed Messick with three scoreless innings, giving Cleveland an 11-1 victory and helping the Guardians avoid the sweep.
Ramírez finished 2-for-3 with a home run, two runs scored and four RBIs. DeLauter went 4-for-4, while Adell and Lowe also drove in four runs apiece. Cleveland improved to 69-68 and maintained possession of the American League’s final wild-card position.
Up Next: After an off day Monday, the Guardians open a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays at Progressive Field on Tuesday. Gavin Williams (12-7, 3.98 ERA) will start for Cleveland against Spencer Miles (5-2, 2.92 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m.