KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — José Ramírez hit his fifth career grand slam and the Guardians beat the Kansas City Royals 14-1.
Cleveland moved into first place in the AL Central despite a losing record.
Ramírez lined a first-pitch cutter from Austin Cox into the left-field bullpen after Cox opened the third by allowing a single and two walks.
It was the slugger’s 13th homer this season. Josh Bell hit a 464-foot, two-run homer for the Guardians in the fifth.
Cox took the loss in his first major league start. He had begun his career with 12 1/3 scoreless innings in relief.
Cleveland (39-40) played its second straight game without manager Terry Francona, who was hospitalized overnight and told by doctors to rest when he felt lightheaded before Tuesday’s game.