Kwan celebrates birthday with multiple hits, RBIs, steals in win

TAMPA -- Steven Kwan strolled into the Guardians’ clubhouse on Friday afternoon and shared an embrace with Logan Allen. The two wished one another a happy birthday -- Kwan turned 28 and Allen turned 27.

The good times continued after first pitch.

Kwan went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, two runs scored and two stolen bases in the Guardians’ 7-1 win over the Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Kwan’s two-run single opened the scoring in a pivotal second inning, when Cleveland sent all nine hitters to the plate and scored five times.

“I don't think historically I've done very well on my birthday, so it's nice to level it out,” said Kwan, who had two hits in nine career plate appearances on his birthday entering Friday.

Speaking of leveling things out: Cleveland (70-70) got back to .500 with the win and now is 2 1/2 games behind the Mariners (73-68) for the third American League Wild Card spot. The Rays (71-60), whose seven-game losing streak came to an end, sit two games back of Seattle.

The Guardians’ fast start on Friday was an about face from Thursday’s series opener, when they were shut out until the ninth inning, and manager Stephen Vogt postgame said his club “came out flat.”

Kwan stepped to the plate in the second with one out and the bases loaded. Rays lefty Ian Seymour hung a sweeper down and away, and Kwan jumped on it and sent it to center field for a two-run single.

After an Angel Martínez flyout, José Ramírez stepped up and crushed a two-run double high off the left-field wall. Kwan scored from first as Ramírez’s drive (which had a 107.2 mph exit velocity) deflected off the wall and away from left fielder Richie Palacios.

Ramírez finished the night 3-for-5.

“When they go, we go,” said catcher Austin Hedges, who hit a solo homer in the sixth inning, his fifth of the season. “Obviously, it's up to the rest of the group to pick them up when they're not going. But I know when [Kwan] is getting on base, [Ramírez] is going to drive him in. It's going to spark the boys.”

The Guardians lean heavily on Kwan and Ramírez. On a roster that embraces positional timeshares and playing matchups, the two All-Stars are Cleveland’s only everyday players. It’s of course unfair to expect both to deliver in every single opportunity they have at the plate, though Kwan and Ramírez each had a down August, at least for their standards.

Kwan recorded a .514 OPS over 27 games last month, and Ramírez posted a .716 OPS in 26 games. Through five games in September, Kwan is hitting .348 with an .810 OPS, and Ramírez is at .300 with an .833 OPS.

If the Guardians are going to make a run at a postseason spot this month, it’s no secret Kwan and Ramírez will need to lead the way offensively.

“When [Kwan is] going, we're going, and when [Ramírez is] going,” Vogt said. “We put a lot of pressure on those two, and they answer the call more often than not. When Kwan is getting on base, good things happen.”

Certainly on Friday. Kwan’s two stolen bases marked his first multi-steal game since Aug. 4, 2024.

“I’m actually surprised I had a two-steal game,” Kwan said. “I was thinking that might be my first one. I was making a joke, I'm out here running like I'm not 28 and I got hamstring problems. That was nice to be able to get a couple today.”

The offense backed a strong start to September for right-hander Gavin Williams, who held the Rays to one run on seven hits and three walks over seven innings while striking out three.

Williams worked around traffic in each of the first five innings to keep Tampa Bay off the scoreboard, before Junior Caminero hit a solo home run off him in the sixth.

Williams was solid but inconsistent in the first half, when he had a 3.70 ERA in 97 1/3 innings over 19 starts while issuing 57 walks (most in the Majors). Through nine starts since the All-Star break, he’s posted a 2.19 ERA in 53 1/3 innings.

“What we’re watching is a big-time pitcher unfold in front of us,” Vogt said. “He’s put in all the work with the pitching team. … It’s been a lot of fun to watch.”