Lane Thomas had four RBIs, and the Cleveland Guardians managed to win 6-4 against the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday, completing a three-game series sweep.
Austin Hedges also hit a solo home run for the Guardians, who are leading the AL Central by 4 1/2 games after the Royals lost 4-3 in 11 innings at Yankee Stadium. The Guardians and New York are tied for the best record in the American League.
The Guardians went 6-3 on their trip, which included stops in Kansas City and at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
“I feel incredible about it,” said Stephen Vogt, the first-year manager for Cleveland. “This was a tough road trip, this late in the year to be gone through three cities and play some tough teams.”
The White Sox suffered a franchise-record 15th straight home loss, their 17th loss in 19 games, and were swept for the 24th time. With a record of 33-114, the White Sox are approaching the post-1900 record for most losses, which is 120 by the 1962 New York Mets in their first season.
Thomas got his four RBIs with two infield singles when Cleveland had runners on second and third. He managed to reach first base on a slow hit to third base and then on a hard hit that second baseman Lenyn Sosa had to run to catch. Thomas had three hits in total.
“Not only are our baserunners busting, you know, down the line … they were thinking score right off the bat,” Vogt said. “That’s the baserunning we talk about from spring training.”
“That’s how these guys always run the bases. They don’t take any out for granted.”
Thomas is hitting .405 (15 for 37) with three homers and nine RBIs in September.
“That’s a good 10-day stretch,” Thomas said. “I’m just going to try to keep being consistent with the work and build off what we’re doing right now. It’s been fun and I feel like we’re winning some games right now. So just keep that, you know, just carry that through the rest of September.”
