Walker hits 3-run homer, Diamondbacks beat Guardians 6-3
Aug 2, 2022, 7:16 AM | Updated: 9:22 pm
Arizona Diamondbacks' Christian Walker, center, is congratulated by Ketel Marte, right, and Alek Thomas after hitting a three-run home run off Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
(AP Photo/David Dermer)
CLEVELAND (AP) —
Christian Walker hit a three-run homer, Alek Thomas had a two-run double and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Cleveland Guardians 6-3 on Tuesday night to stop a four-game losing streak.
Carson Kelly hit a solo homer, had three hits and scored two runs for Arizona, which never trailed in winning at Progressive Field for the first time since Aug. 13, 2014.
Zac Gallen (6-2) allowed three runs. six hits and three walks in 5 2/3 innings, striking out five. The right-hander is 20 in nine starts since June 15.
Kyle Nelson, Joe Mantiply and Ian Kennedy retired Cleveland’s last 10 batters. Kennedy struck out the side in the ninth for his fifth save, all on the road.
The Guardians, who entered trailing AL Central leader Minnesota by one game, received two hits and two RBIs from Luke Maile and a run-scoring single from All-Star José Ramírez.
Right-hander Triston McKenzie (7-8) surrendered Walker’s three-run drive in the first and lost his second straight start. He struck out seven over six innings and gave up five runs, four earned.
The trade deadline passed without a significant move by Cleveland, which has the youngest team in the majors and unexpectedly finds itself in playoff contention.
“The guys in there deserve the right not to lose their jobs,” said Guardians manager Terry Francona, whose team has won 10 of its last 16. “I like our direction.”
Thomas’ two-run double in the fifth extended Arizona’s lead to 5-2, plating Kelly and Sergio Alcántara. Kelly hit a solo shot off Enyel De Los Santos in the seventh.
Diamondbacks third baseman Emmanuel Rivera, acquired Monday from Kansas City for pitcher Luke Weaver, joined the team and was added to the roster.
“We’re happy to have another right-handed hitting infielder,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said.
Steven Kwan doubled to extend his hitting streak to 16 games, longest by a Cleveland rookie since Michael Brantley in 2010.
RAPID FALL
Guardians DH Franmil Reyes, who had 30 homers and 85 RBIs last season, was optioned to Triple-A Columbus. The 27-year-old slugger is batting .213 with nine home runs and 104 strikeouts in 263 at-bats.
“At this point, he’s going to have to work through it at Triple-A,” president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said. “Hopefully, Franmil can get back on track and find his way back here.”
Reyes was replaced on the roster by rookie OF Oscar Gonzalez, who had been on the injured list since June 30 with a right abdominal strain.
“I don’t know how it happened, it just started to hurt,” said Gonzalez, who has a .285 average in 32 games. “I’m happy to be back because I’m able to help the team.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Diamondbacks: LHP Caleb Smith (right hand fracture), who got hurt Saturday after being removed from a game in Atlanta, underwent surgery to repair his right pinky finger.
Guardians: RHP Aaron Civale (right wrist sprain) threw a 40-pitch bullpen at Progressive Field and will make a rehab appearance this weekend, either for Columbus or Double-A Akron.
UP NEXT
Diamondbacks: LHP Tommy Henry will be recalled from Triple-A Reno to make his big league debut in the three-game series finale. Henry, who is on the taxi squad, went 4-4 with a 3.83 ERA in 20 starts for the Aces.
Guardians: RHP Shane Bieber (5-6, 3.41 ERA) makes his 100th career start, all with Cleveland. The 2020 AL Cy Young winner has a 46-24 record with a 3.32 ERA through 99 starts, striking out 751 over 621 2/3 innings.
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