José Ramírez hit a three-run homer and triple a day after hitting a foul ball in the leg, and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Detroit Tigers 6-1 on Friday night.
Both teams played without their managers in the first match of this series.
Detroit’s AJ Hinch missed the game feeling unwell, though he tested negative for COVID-19. He was replaced by bench coach George Lombard.
Terry Francona, of Cleveland, was out for a minor surgical procedure and is expected to return on Saturday. He was replaced by bench coach DeMario Hale.
Ramirez, the Guardians’ star third baseman, collapsed in pain after being hit in the right shin during the eighth inning of Thursday’s game against Cincinnati. The Dominican remained in the game and singled, but was replaced by a runner.
On Friday, in his usual third-bat spot, Ramírez showed no effects from the hit. In the first inning, on his triple, he didn’t hesitate to run or slide.
His three-run homer off reliever Jacob Barnes (3-1) in the sixth gave Cleveland a 4-0 lead.
For the Tigres, Willi Castro 4-0, Javier Báez 4-1 with a run scored. Venezuelans Miguel Cabrera 4-0, Harold Castro 1-0. The Dominican Jeimer Candelario 2-0.
For the Guardians, the Dominicans Amed Rosario 4-2 with two runs scored and two RBIs, Ramírez 4-2 with one runs scored and three RBIs, Franmil Reyes 4-1. The Colombian Óscar Mercado 3-0.
The Dominican José Ramírez, of the Cleveland Guardians, hits a triple in the game on Friday, May 20, 2022, against the Detroit Tigers (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
