Rookie Jhonkensy Noel hits three-run homer to push AL Central-leading Guardians past Rangers 13-5

CLEVELAND (AP) — Jhonkensy Noel hit a three-run homer and José Ramírez and Josh Naylor had back-to-back solo shots as the American League Central-leading Cleveland Guardians routed the Texas Rangers 13-5 on Saturday night.

Noel homered for the 11th time in 40 games since making his major league debut on June 26, going deep off Rangers starter Jon Gray (5-5) in the third inning. The 6-foot-3, 250-pounder also tied his career high with three hits and scored three times.

The Guardians plated 11 consecutive runs after falling behind 1-0 in the first and won for just the seventh time in their last 20 games. Cleveland entered the evening one game ahead of Kansas City and two in front of Minnesota in the division.

Naylor and Steven Kwan drove in two runs apiece, while Naylor and Brayan Rocchio each scored twice as the Guardians matched their season high in runs. Rocchio walked in the third and came around on two passed balls by Texas catcher Carson Kelly.

The only player in Cleveland history with more homers than Noel in his first 40 games is Russell Branyan, who had 12 from 1998-2000.

Ben Lively (11-8) worked 6 2/3 innings and gave up three runs, two earned. The right-hander threw 105 pitches — his most in seven years — and struck out four.

Marcus Semien had two RBIs, Leody Taveras and Kelly doubled in runs, and Wyatt Langford went 3 for 4 for Texas, which has not won a series at Progressive Field since 2016.

Gray allowed seven runs, six earned, in two-plus innings. Ramírez, Josh Naylor and Bo Naylor all homered off Grant Anderson.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Rangers: RHP Max Scherzer had his right shoulder examined by team physician Keith Meister earlier Saturday, but manager Bruce Bochy said he didn’t know the extent of the visit. Scherzer, who missed the first three months of the season while recovering from back surgery, was nearing a return from the injured list before being scratched from his scheduled Friday rehab start with Double-A Frisco. ... RHP Josh Sborz (right shoulder fatigue) has reported to Double-A Frisco for a rehab assignment. The 30-year-old reliever was placed on the IL with shoulder issues for the third time this season on Aug. 11.

UP NEXT

Rangers LHP Cody Bradford (4-1, 3.56 ERA) takes on Guardians LHP Matthew Boyd (0-0, 3.38 ERA) in the series finale. Boyd has pitched 5 1/3 innings in both of his starts for Cleveland, allowing four total runs on seven hits.

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