Steven Kwan's career-first two-homer game wasn't enough as the Guardians fell to the Orioles 4-3 on July 24, 2025, after a late Gunnar Henderson RBI.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a day of conflicting emotions at Progressive Field. Steven Kwan put on a personal power display with his first career multi-homer game, but it wasn't quite enough to topple the Baltimore Orioles, as the Guardians fell 4-3 in a hard-fought series finale. Despite rallying from an early hole, a seventh-inning RBI single from Gunnar Henderson proved to be the difference, snapping Cleveland's win streak but not the team's renewed sense of momentum.
Steven's been locked in at the plate, and today he really gave us a chance.
The undisputed star for the Guardians on Thursday was Steven Kwan. The leadoff man provided all of Cleveland's runs via the long ball, launching solo shots in the third and fifth innings. His first, a 384-foot blast to right-center, put the Guards on the board. His second, a 372-foot liner to right, tied the game at 3-3 and marked the first multi-homer game of his career. 'Steven's been locked in at the plate, and today he really gave us a chance,' manager Stephen Vogt said after the game. The two homers brought Kwan's season total to eight, showcasing a surprising power stroke from the contact-oriented outfielder.
The game started ominously as former Guardian Ramón Laureano, released by the team in May 2024, continued to haunt his old club by hitting a first-inning home run—his third of the series. That blast set the tone for another tough outing for starter Logan Allen, who battled through 6.1 innings but was tagged for four earned runs on seven hits. After Kwan's heroics tied the game, Allen was lifted in the seventh with a runner on. Reliever Erik Sabrowski couldn't strand the runner, allowing the go-ahead single to Gunnar Henderson that ultimately decided the game. For Allen, it was his fifth loss in his last six starts, a concerning trend for the back end of the rotation.
Despite the disappointing result, it's crucial to view this game in a wider context. The Guardians finished their homestand with a strong 5-2 record and have won 11 of their last 14 games. This is the same team that endured a brutal 10-game losing streak just a few weeks ago, and the turnaround has been remarkable. The front office continues to tinker, recalling RHP Nic Enright from Triple-A for bullpen depth while sending shortstop Gabriel Arias to Columbus to begin a rehab assignment, signaling his return is getting closer.
The training room delivered some mixed news. Outfielder Lane Thomas (plantar fasciitis) is progressing slower than hoped and is now targeting an August return. On the positive side, RHP Trevor Stephan continues his rehab assignment in Columbus. The more significant blows came from MRIs revealing that INF prospect Juan Brito (hamstring) and key reliever Paul Sewald (shoulder) will likely be out until at least September. Sewald's moderate teres major strain is a particular setback for the bullpen. The team will now hit the road, with manager Stephen Vogt announcing that RHP Gavin Williams (6-4, 3.54 ERA) will get the ball for Friday's series opener in Kansas City.
While the loss stings, especially in such a close game, the Guardians walk away from this homestand with their heads held high. A 5-2 record is a success, and the team's 11-3 run shows that the mid-season swoon is firmly in the rearview mirror. Now, the focus shifts to a crucial road series against the division-rival Royals. With Gavin Williams on the mound Friday, Cleveland has a prime opportunity to keep the momentum rolling and solidify its standing in the AL Central race.
