CLEVELAND -- Carlos Santana said that he was not aware heading into Wednesday’s game against the Reds that it was also the 15-year anniversary of his June 11, 2010, MLB debut. But the 39-year-old still found a special way to commemorate the day.
Santana crushed a grand slam off Reds lefty Nick Lodolo to jumpstart a big day for the Guardians’ offense. Cleveland knocked off Cincinnati, 11-2, at Progressive Field to avoid a season-series sweep to their rivals from southwestern Ohio.
The Guardians recorded 13 hits, and the 11 runs marked a new season high as they avoided a three-game sweep.
“God gave me so much opportunity,” Santana said. “I'm blessed. Long career, 15 years. I'm excited and happy, especially coming back to Cleveland. This organization gave me so much opportunity, and back and forth twice. I’m happy for that.”
Santana made his big league debut with Cleveland 15 years ago, which marked the first of his three stints with the organization (2010-17, ‘19-20). The veteran slugger returned this offseason as a free agent on a one-year contract.
Looking back on it, Santana didn’t imagine when he debuted he would play as long as he has. But he’s kept working hard to prepare his body every season, and his continued performance on the field and leadership in the locker room is a source of pride for him.
“Fifteen years in the big leagues; it's ridiculous,” manager Stephen Vogt said. “It's just a testament to obviously being very, very good, but taking care of yourself. It's hard to keep playing as you get older, and he does it at an elite level still. It's a testament to his hard work.”
Wednesday figures to have been cathartic as it was dominant for the Guardians, who went 5-10 over their previous 15 games and have gotten off to a rough start offensively in June. They entered the day averaging 2.56 runs per game this month (23 over nine games), and they tallied four or fewer in each game over that span.
Vogt relayed after the Guardians’ 7-4 loss on Monday that “a lot of guys” were trying to do too much amid the rough stretch. He said the team looked relaxed in the finale vs. the Reds.
“It looked like we weren't pressing,” Vogt said Wednesday. “We waited for our pitch, and when we got it, we didn't miss it. And that happens when you're relaxed. That happens when you just go up there, look for a pitch and be yourself, not trying to do more.”
Santana’s slam in the third inning traveled a Statcast-projected 397 feet to right-center field, and it gave the Guardians a 5-0 lead. It was his first slam since Sept. 19, 2022, when he was with the Mariners, and the sixth of his career.
His last slam at Progressive Field was on Sept. 18, 2015, when -- for context -- teammate Kyle Manzardo was only 15 years old.
“That’s who he is at this point,” Manzardo said of Santana’s consistency. “He’s been doing it forever now. He’s been doing it since I was in fifth grade. It’s crazy”
Along with Santana, Lane Thomas added a three-run homer in the sixth inning -- which was also his first of the season. Thomas has been limited to 20 games this season due to injuries; he came off the IL on Monday after dealing with plantar fasciitis in his right foot.
Manzardo finished the afternoon 2-for-3 off the bench. He pinch-hit for DH David Fry with runners on first and second and two outs in the fourth inning, and he delivered a two-run double to bust the game open.
Vogt liked Manzardo in that spot because right-handed reliever Lyon Richardson replaced Lodolo, and the back end of Cincinnati’s bullpen is right-handed heavy.
“We knew with the back end of their bullpen being right-handed, if they happen to flip the game, we were going to be using Manzo in that, and he hadn't had an at-bat in a few days. There were a lot of reasons why we fired Manzo right there, but it was to get that kill shot right there.
"You get that sixth and seventh run in the fourth, so that was a big one, and he looked great.”
Wednesday was much-needed, certainly as the Guardians head west for a three-city, nine-game road trip to Seattle, San Francisco and Sacramento that begins on Friday vs. the Mariners.
“This is a big win,” Vogt said. “Every win is big, but [especially] right before you get on a cross-country flight. It's a good feeling to get on the plane.”