Steven Kwan hits two homers, but the Guardians fall to the Orioles 4-3 on July 25. Read how Kwan's career night wasn't enough to overcome Baltimore's late rally.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a classic 'can't win 'em all' kind of day at Progressive Field. The Guardians' momentum hit a slight bump in a 4-3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles, but you wouldn't know it from watching Steven Kwan. The dynamic outfielder put on a personal home run derby, launching two solo shots in his first-ever multi-homer game, providing a major silver lining as the team closed out a successful 5-2 homestand.
It was the first career multi-homer game for Steven Kwan, whose two solo shots accounted for two of the Guardians' three runs.
The final score stings, especially in a one-run game. Starter Logan Allen battled but was ultimately tagged with the loss, finishing with a line of 6.1 innings and four earned runs. The decisive blow came in the seventh inning when Gunnar Henderson slapped an RBI single off reliever Erik Sabrowski, breaking a 3-3 tie. The Guardians' offense, aside from Kwan's heroics and a Nolan Jones sacrifice fly, couldn't muster the final push needed to take the series.
Let's talk about the main event: Steven Kwan. Known more for his elite bat-to-ball skills and Gold Glove defense, Kwan showed off some serious pop on Thursday. He blasted solo home runs to right field in both the third and fifth innings, a stunning display that marked the first multi-homer game of his career. While it wasn't enough for the win, seeing that kind of power from the leadoff spot is an exciting development for a Guardians lineup that can always use another jolt.
One loss does not end a hot streak. Let's not forget where this team was just a few weeks ago, mired in a 10-game losing streak. Since that skid ended on July 6, the Guardians have been one of the best teams in baseball, posting an 11-3 record. Finishing the homestand with five wins in seven games is a huge success, pushing the team back to the .500 mark for the first time since late June. The momentum is real, and this team has proven its resilience.
There's no time to dwell on the loss, as the team immediately packs its bags for a crucial road series against the Kansas City Royals. The good news is they're sending one of their best arms to the mound for Friday's opener. Gavin Williams (6-4, 3.54 ERA) will get the start, looking to kick off the road trip on a high note and continue the stellar pitching that has defined the team's recent surge.
While the loss stings, the Guardians are in a fantastic position. They're playing their best baseball of the season, Steven Kwan is adding a new power dimension to his game, and they have a chance to make up ground on the road. All eyes now turn to Kansas City as Gavin Williams takes the ball to prove this team's hot streak is far from over.
