Cleveland Guardians' Carlos Santana watches his three-run home run off Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Nick Lodolo during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Carlos Santana hits grand slam as Guardians beat Reds 11-2 to avoid season sweep by Francona’s club

CLEVELAND (AP) — Carlos Santana slugged his sixth career grand slam and the Cleveland Guardians beat Cincinnati 11-2 on Wednesday, snapping the Reds’ five-game win streak and denying manager Terry Francona a season sweep of his former team.

Santana’s third-inning slam came on the 15th anniversary of his major league debut. It was his eighth homer this season and made it 5-0, helping Cleveland salvage the finale of this three-game series. Francona’s Reds swept the Guardians in three games at Cincinnati last month.

The Guardians had five straight hits to open a four-run sixth for a nine-run lead, including a three-run homer by Lane Thomas. Cleveland’s 11 runs were a season high.

Thomas’ homer was his first this season after returning from the injured list this week. He had three hits, drove in three runs and scored twice.

José Ramírez hit an RBI double to extend his career-long on-base streak to 37 games, the longest active streak in the majors. He has a hit in 11 straight games.

Cleveland Guardians’ Jose Ramirez hits an RBI double off Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Nick Lodolo as catcher Jose Trevino works behind te plate during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Logan Allen (4-4) went six innings and gave up solo homers to Elly De La Cruz and TJ Friedl. He struck out six.

Nick Lodolo (4-5) lasted only 3 1/3 innings, giving up six runs.

Cincinnati’s Christian Encarnacion-Strand was hit on the bill of his helmet by a 97 mph pitch from Emmanuel Clase in the ninth but stayed in the game.

Key moment

Angel Martínez and Thomas singled and Ramírez was hit by a pitch to set up Santana’s slam.

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Logan Allen delivers against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Key stat

Ramírez hit his 380th career double, passing Earl Averill for third-most in franchise history. He trails Hall of Famers Tris Speaker (486) and Nap Lajoie (424).

Up next

Cincinnati’s Nick Martinez (4-6, 3.70 ERA) will pitch against Keider Montero (2-1, 4.30) at Detroit on Friday. Cleveland’s Gavin Williams (5-3, 3.86) will face Luis Castillo (4-4, 3.31) at Seattle on Friday.

Cleveland Guardians’ Lane Thomas, right, touches home plate after hitting a three-run home run off Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Joe La Sorsa as Jose Trevino stands by during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Nick Lodolo, front, walks back to the mound as Cleveland Guardians’ Carlos Santana, rear, rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

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