Martinez hits grand slam, Guardians top Royals

CLEVELAND — Angel Martinez belted a grand slam and had a career-high four hits, and rookie Chase DeLauter delivered a two-run double to lift the Cleveland Guardians to a 10-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. Martinez launched a 374-foot shot to right off Steven Cruz in the eighth inning, when the Guardians scored five times to blow open what was a 5-2 game. Rhys Hoskins had a career-best three doubles as Cleveland tied its season high with 16 hits. Guardians starter Joey Cantillo (1-0) struck out nine over 5 2/3 innings, allowing one earned run and one unearned run on three hits. Matt Festa worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings for his first save since July 7, 2022, with Seattle. DeLauter, who leads all rookies with five homers and 11 RBI, drove in José Ramírez and David Fry in the first with a drive off the wall against Cole Ragans (0-3). Hoskins followed with a double that made the Guardians' lead 3-0. Ragans had been struck on his left thumb by a comebacker from Ramírez, forcing him to exit two batters later after DeLauter's double. He was charged with three runs in 2/3 of an inning, later being diagnosed with a contusion. The Royals pulled within 4-1 in the fourth on a RBI double by Bobby Witt Jr. and then added a run in the fifth when Lane Thomas scored on an error by Steven Kwan. Cleveland committed two errors after only making one in its first 12 games. Ramírez and Juan Brito also had RBI doubles for the Guardians, who are 3-0-1 in series this season. Guardians RHP Slade Cecconi (0-1, 5.23 ERA) takes the ball Friday in Atlanta. Guardians shortstop Gabriel Arias is expected to miss four to eight weeks with a moderate left hamstring strain that occurred during Monday's game against Kansas City. The 26-year-old was hurt while running out a double in the fifth inning and left the game. He was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday after undergoing medical tests, the results of which were announced Wednesday. "He's in some pain," Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said before the three-game series finale against the Royals. Arias, who is batting .200 with two homers and four RBI in 10 games, will be re-examined weekly throughout his rehabilitation. This is his third full season as a starter for Cleveland. The Guardians recalled second baseman Juan Brito from Triple-A Columbus to take his place in the lineup, while moving Brayan Rocchio from second to shortstop. They started the final two contests against Kansas City.