CINCINNATI — José Ramírez homered, doubled and drove in three runs, Owen Miller hit two home runs and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-3 Wednesday for their fourth straight win.
Rookie Steven Kwan went 0 for 4, but drew a bases-loaded walk in the second inning that put Cleveland ahead to stay as it completed a two-game sweep.
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Kwan is 10 for 19 and has reached base in 19 of 29 plate appearances since making his major league debut on opening day. The 24-year-old outfielder had seen 128 pitches this season and taken 42 swings without miss before he couldn't check his swing on a 2-1 offering in the fourth inning from Nick Lodolo, who made his major league debut.
A day after hitting a grand slam with six RBIs, Ramírez again broke loose. Miller produced his first multi-homer game, Oscar Mercado also homered and Myles Straw matched a career high with four hits.
The Guardians have scored 44 runs during their winning streak after producing just one in losing the season's first two games. By virtue of winning the first two two of four tilts this season with Cincinnati, Cleveland also retains the in-state Ohio Cup for the eighth consecutive time.
The left-handed Kwan took four straight balls with the bases loaded to give Cleveland a 1-0 lead in the second. That was the third of three straight walks by the left-handed Lodolo, who also hit two batters in the inning.
Lodolo (0-1), the seventh overall selection in the 2019 draft, allowed seven hits and five runs with three walks and four strikeouts in four innings.
Cleveland starter Triston McKenzie pitched three-hit ball for four shutout innings. He struck out six and walked none.
Eli Morgan (1-0) relieved and gave up one run and one hit in three innings.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Guardians: Lodolo hit Ramírez in the left foot with the bases loaded in the second inning, but the third baseman stayed in the game.
Reds: LF Tommy Pham didn't start after injuring his left hand in a collision with center fielder Nick Senzel on Tuesday. X-rays were negative, but Pham was scheduled for extra tests, manager David Bell said before the game. ... RHP Lucas Sims (back spasms) started and pitched one inning in his first rehab appearance with Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday.
UP NEXT
Guardians RHP Zach Plesac (0-0, 0.00) is scheduled on Friday to make his second 2022 start in Cleveland's home opener against the Giants.
Reds LHP Reiver Sanmartin (0-1, 19.29) is scheduled on Thursday to make his second start of the season and first of his career at Dodger Stadium.