The fifth inning changed everything. Cleveland scored four runs to erase a 3-1 deficit and never looked back, defeating Oakland 14-6 at Sutter Health Park on Friday night.
Shea Langeliers went 3-for-5 with two home runs and three RBI for Oakland, including a two-run shot in the first inning and a solo blast in the fifth. The catcher is batting .336 with 10 home runs and 18 RBI this season.
Cleveland's decisive fifth began when Kwan singled to left, bringing Hedges home to cut the deficit to 3-2. Ramírez then doubled to center, scoring both Martínez and Kwan to give the Guardians their first lead at 4-3. Hoskins added a sacrifice fly to center, bringing Ramírez home for a 5-3 advantage. Langeliers answered immediately with his second homer of the night, but Cleveland had seized control.
Slade Cecconi earned the win despite allowing 10 hits and 5 runs over 5.1 innings. His ERA stands at 6.56. Jacob Lopez took the loss for Oakland, giving up 8 hits and 6 runs in 5.1 innings, carrying a 6.60 ERA.
Cleveland snapped a losing streak and improved to 16-16. Oakland fell to 17-14 despite extending their winning streak to two games entering the contest. Langeliers sits two home runs away from 100 career homers, while Hoskins is five runs away from 500 career runs scored.