Jhonkensy Noel hits another home run as Guardians beat Rangers 4-2
CLEVELAND — Jhonkensy Noel homered again and Matthew Boyd pitched six efficient innings in his first win in more than a year, helping the Cleveland Guardians beat the Texas Rangers 4-2 on Sunday.
Noel hit a solo shot in the second inning off Cody Bradford (4-2), a 413-foot home run to center field. It was the 23-year-old rookie’s 12th home run since his debut on June 26, tying Russell Branyan for the most home runs by a Cleveland player in his first 41 games.
Boyd (1-0) allowed one run and three hits in his third start in his return from Tommy John surgery. The left-hander struck out four in his first win since June 21, 2023 for Detroit against Kansas City.
Corey Seager hit a solo home run for Texas off Hunter Gaddis in the eighth, but David Fry answered in the bottom half with a hit off Matt Festa.
Emmanuel Clase struck out all three batters in the ninth inning for his AL-leading 38th save. It was Clase’s first save since Aug. 13 and his 25th straight conversion.
The Guardians, leaders of the American League Central division, began the day with a two-game lead over Kansas City and Minnesota in the division.
José Ramírez hit a sacrifice fly and stole two bases for the Guardians. Cleveland is 2-1 in its 10 home games and hasn’t lost a series to the Rangers since 2016.
Jonah Heim doubled in the fifth to cut Texas’ deficit to 2-1, scoring Josh Jung. Noel scored his second run in the seventh, reaching on a wild pitch in the third strike and touching home on a throwing error by reliever Jose Leclerc.
Bradford lost his second straight start, allowing two runs in six innings. The left-hander also committed a throwing error that allowed Steven Kwan to score an unearned run.
Noel’s home run was his second in two days and sixth in his last 11 games.
TRAINERS’ ROOM
Rangers: Right-handed pitcher Jacob deGrom (right elbow surgery) will make his second rehab appearance Tuesday for Triple-A Round Rock. The 36-year-old pitched two innings, allowing just one run, in his first outing for Double-A Frisco. “He feels good,” manager Bruce Bochy said.
Guardians: Starting pitcher Alex Cobb (right toenail) and starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco (left hip strain) are expected to throw live batting practice this week at Progressive Field. Both starting pitchers are on the 15-day injured list but could be activated when the roster is expanded Sept. 1.
FOLLOWING
Rangers: Left-handed pitcher Andrew Heaney (4-13, 4.04 ERA) faces White Sox left-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet (6-9, 3.64 ERA) in the opener of a three-game series in Chicago on Tuesday.
Guardians: Left-handed pitchers Logan Allen (8-4, 5.56 ERA) and Joey Cantillo (0-3, 8.47 ERA) will be recalled from Triple-A Columbus to pitch in a doubleheader Monday against Kansas City.
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