José Ramírez delivered an outstanding performance, hitting three home runs to lead the Cleveland Guardians to an 8-6 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night. This win snapped Cleveland’s three-game losing streak and added another chapter to Ramírez’s impressive legacy with the franchise.
Ramírez’s three homers included a solo shot in the first inning, a two-run blast in the fifth to tie the game, and another solo homer in the ninth to secure the win. His 26th career multi-homer game ties him with legends Albert Belle and Jim Thome for the most in Cleveland history. This was also his second career three-homer game, both of which have come while playing for the Guardians.
“I appreciate these types of days,” Ramírez said through an interpreter. “Sometimes it’s hard to hit one, and then when you hit three, you just thank God for these types of games, and most importantly because we won.”
Ramírez’s first two homers came off Angels starter José Soriano, connecting on low breaking balls that sailed out to right field. His third homer came against rookie Caden Dana on a high fastball, providing crucial insurance as the Angels mounted a two-run rally in the ninth.
This performance follows a similar feat on June 8, 2023, when he hit three homers against Boston. With 259 career homers, Ramírez ranks second in Cleveland history, behind only Jim Thome’s 337.
His coaches and teammates were full of praise for Ramírez’s clutch performance. “Best player in the world,” said Guardians manager Stephen Vogt with a smile. “Man, he’s some kind of impressive. What a great night. Really picked us up when we needed offense, and our best player came through.”
Despite suffering a right wrist sprain in Kansas City just six days prior, which forced him to miss a game and left a large scrape on his hand, Ramírez showcased his resilience and talent. This injury hadn’t slowed him down, as he’s off to a strong start in pursuit of his first 40-homer season.
Although Ramírez made an error on a grounder in the third inning, his defensive struggles have been rare, and Vogt isn’t concerned. “It’s a blip,” he said. “He’s a Gold Glove-caliber player, and top players often bounce back immediately after mistakes.”
Ramírez’s ability to respond to adversity both defensively and offensively remains a testament to his greatness, making him an indispensable part of the Guardians’ lineup.