KANSAS CITY -- With the Guardians in the midst of a three-game lull, they needed some type of spark. Backup catcher Austin Hedges and designated hitter Chase DeLauter were just the guys to provide it.
Trailing the Royals by a run in the fifth inning on Wednesday, Cleveland went the bold route with a double steal that had Hedges on the front end taking third with one out, while Petey Halpin swiped second behind him.
DeLauter followed with a go-ahead two-run single to left, a sequence that proved crucial in the Guardians’ 3-1 victory at Kauffman Stadium.
For Hedges, it marked just the second time in his career that he had a steal of third. He also did it on April 9 of last season. DeLauter rewarded the daring baserunning when he slapped a Luinder Avila pitch the other way to put Cleveland in position to play with a lead.
Starter Joey Cantillo allowed just one run on three hits over five innings, and the Guardians’ bullpen mixed and matched the rest of the way as Cleveland snapped a three-game losing streak.
The Guardians got an insurance run in the eighth on David Fry’s RBI groundout.
Royals starter Cole Ragans exited after three innings with left triceps and elbow soreness.