CLEVELAND, Ohio — Lane Thomas did something Wednesday that no major league player has accomplished in nearly a quarter-century.
Thomas drove in four runs with a pair of two-run infield singles in the first and third innings Wednesday as the Guardians completed a three-game sweep of the White Sox in Chicago with a 6-4 win.
Steven Kwan and Jose Ramirez scored on Thomas’ slow roller to third that he legged out ahead of a throw by Miguel Vargas. In the third, Kwan and Andres Gimenez scored when Thomas grounded to second and beat the throw from Lenyn Sosa.
According to Stats Perform, which began tracking infield hits in 2000, no player has had multiple two-run infield singles in a season, much less in one game over the last 24 major league seasons. It has happened nine times this season in the majors, including the two from Thomas on Wednesday.
Thomas, who also singled and scored in the eighth inning, has 15 hits in his last 10 games since Sept. 1, including seven straight. This comes on the heels of an abysmal August that saw him hit .143 in 27 games with 33 strikeouts in 77 at-bats.
Manager Stephen Vogt credited Ramirez and Gimenez for thinking about scoring as soon as the ball came off Thomas’ bat on both plays.
“That’s how we want to run the bases and that’s how these guys always run the bases,” Vogt said. “They run hard. They don’t take any out for granted. They’re trying to cause some chaos.”
Josh Naylor also drove in a pair of runs with a two-run infield single on June 21 against the Blue Jays. It was part of a seven-run second inning that accounted for all of Cleveland’s scoring that day in a 7-1 victory.
Cleveland’s three two-run infield singles this year mark the first time in 21 years a club has had at least three in one season. The last time it happened was when Toronto’s Frank Catalanotto, Mike Bordick and Carlos Delgado each had a two-run infield single during the 2003 season.
The last team to have two two-run infield singles in a season was the Yankees in 2021 when Anthony Rizzo and Brett Gardner each accomplished the feat.
American League reliever Emmanuel Clase, of the Cleveland Guardians, celebrates after the last out of the MLB All-Star baseball game, Tuesday, July 16, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. AP Photo/Julio Cortez)AP
Trivia time
The Guardians just left Chicago after a sweep of the White Sox. One of my favorite breakfast spots north of the Chicago river is Wildberry Pancakes & Cafe on E. Randolph Street. Next time you’re in the Windy City, grab a short stack and a side of bacon with some OJ if you can get there. While you’re at it, consider this question: What two Cleveland pitchers have saves in multiple All-Star Games? Answer below.
Magic Number: 12
Cleveland’s win on Wednesday and a loss by the Royals in New York dropped the Guardians magic number to clinch the American League Central Division to 12 with 16 games remaining. Any combination of Cleveland wins and Kansas City losses that adds up to 12 will give the Guards the 12th division title in franchise history.
Cleveland Guardians Magic Number.cleveland.com
Today’s game
Cleveland opens a four-game series against the Rays at Progressive Field. RHP Gavin Williams (3-8, 5.25) will start for Cleveland. RHP Ryan Pepiot (8-6, 3.66) will start for the Rays. Fox will televise Thursday’s game. Bally Sports will televise Friday’s, Saturday’s and Sunday’s games. WMMS, WTAM, WARF and the Guardians radio network will carry the series.
The White Sox will start right-hander Davis Martin (0-3, 3.29). Game time is 2:10 p.m. ET. Bally Sports Great Lakes, WTAM, WMMS and the Guardians radio network will carry the game.
What’s next
Here’s what awaits the Guardians after Thursday’s series opener against the Rays:
Friday: RHP Tanner Bibee (11-7, 3.56) vs. RHP Zack Littell (6-9, 3.89) at 7:17 p.m. On the air: Bally Sports Great Lakes, WTAM 110 AM, WMMS 100.7 FM, WARF 1350 AM (Spanish) and the Guardians Radio Network.
Saturday: LHP Joey Cantillo (1-3, 5.96) vs. TBD at 7:10 p.m. On the air: Bally Sports Great Lakes, WTAM 110 AM, WMMS 100.7 FM, WARF 1350 AM (Spanish) and the Guardians Radio Network.
Sunday: RHP Ben Lively (11-9, 4.01) vs. RHP Taj Bradley (6-10, 4.40) at 1:40 p.m. On the air: Bally Sports Great Lakes, WTAM 110 AM, WMMS 100.7 FM, WARF 1350 AM (Spanish) and the Guardians Radio Network.
Monday: The Twins come to Progressive Field for a key four-game series.
Sept. 20: The Guardians make their final trip of the regular season, a three-game visit to Busch Stadium to play the Cardinals in St. Louis.
Trivia answer: Emmanuel Clase (2022, 2024) and Mel Harder (1935, 1937) are the only Cleveland pitchers with multiple All-Star saves. Harder also got the win in the 1934 Midsummer Classic and his 13 scoreless innings are an ASG record.
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