CLEVELAND (AP) — Jhonkensy Noel hit a three-run homer and José Ramírez and Josh Naylor had back-to-back solo shots as the American League Central-leading Cleveland Guardians routed the Texas Rangers 13-5 on Saturday night. Noel homered for the 11th time in 40 games since making his major league debut on June 26, going deep off Rangers starter Jon Gray (5-5) in the third inning. The 6-foot-3, 250-pounder also tied his career high with three hits and scored three times.
“Big Christmas, that was beautiful,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said, referring to Noel’s nickname. “We’re playing him a lot and he’s earning it.” The only player in Cleveland history with more homers than Noel in his first 40 games is Russell Branyan, who had 12 from 1998-2000.
The rookie is batting .266 with 22 RBIs in 109 at-bats. “We know we’re a group of good hitters, so it’s always the same approach and we try to get the next guy going,” Noel said through an interpreter.
“Today, everything went all fine.” The Guardians plated 11 consecutive runs after falling behind 1-0 in the first and won for just the seventh time in their last 20 games. Cleveland is two games ahead of both Kansas City and Minnesota in the division.
Naylor and Steven Kwan drove in two runs apiece, while Naylor and Brayan Rocchio each scored twice as the Guardians matched their season high in runs. Rocchio walked in the third and came around on two passed balls by Texas catcher Carson Kelly. “It just .