CLEVELAND -- After slotting Angel Martínez in the leadoff spot on Wednesday, Guardians manager Stephen Vogt noted a few reasons why he liked the 24-year-old there.
“He’s dangerous from pitch No. 1,” Vogt said. “Angel’s got the power. He's ready to swing and everybody knows it, so you’ve got to make a really good first quality pitch.”
Point taken -- Martínez belted a leadoff home run on the fourth pitch from Angels lefty Reid Detmers. Martínez’s first-inning blast helped the Guardians to a 4-2 win and three-game sweep over the Halos on Wednesday.
Martínez hitting first was one of several interesting wrinkles to the Guardians’ lineup. José Ramírez, who’s off to a slow start, batted second for the first time this season, a spot higher than his usual No. 3. With a southpaw in Detmers on the mound, slotting Ramírez there was an opportunity to guarantee the switch-hitter three right-handed at-bats -- his stronger side.
Chase DeLauter hit third for the first time in the Majors. Leadoff man Steven Kwan, who’s also off to a sluggish start, had the day off, giving him two straight when coupled with Thursday’s off-day.
“Just looking at it,” Vogt said, “it was kind of like, ‘Well, let's attack them with two of our better right-handed hitters right out of the chute.’ I’ve been thinking about looking at Hosey in the two-hole and Chase in the three-hole for a little while anyway.”
It seemed to pay off. Martínez went 1-for-4 with two runs scored. Ramírez went 0-for-2 with a walk, a hit by pitch and two stolen bases. DeLauter went 2-for-3 with an RBI.
Meanwhile, Guardians starter Parker Messick allowed two runs on four hits and three walks with seven strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings. The left-hander has allowed two or fewer runs in eight of his nine starts this year.