Carlos Santana's grand slam powers the Guardians to an 11-2 win over the Reds on June 12, 2025. See how Santana & Lane Thomas led the offensive explosion.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
In a spectacular display of power and timely hitting, the Cleveland Guardians demolished the Cincinnati Reds 11-2 on Thursday night, punctuated by a storybook grand slam from Carlos Santana on the 15th anniversary of his MLB debut. The offensive explosion, which also featured a triumphant three-hit return for Lane Thomas, not only snapped the Reds' five-game winning streak but also secured the Ohio Cup finale in emphatic fashion.
On the 15th anniversary of his MLB debut, Carlos Santana celebrated by hitting his sixth career grand slam, giving the Guardians a commanding 5-0 lead.
The bats came alive at Progressive Field as the Guardians posted a season-high 11 runs on 13 hits. The game's defining moment came in the third inning when Carlos Santana, celebrating a decade and a half in the big leagues, launched a grand slam into the right-field seats. The blast was his first since returning to Cleveland and sent the home crowd into a frenzy. Not to be outdone, Lane Thomas, in his first game back from the injured list, looked like he hadn't missed a beat. Thomas went 3-for-4, capping his brilliant night with a three-run homer in the sixth inning that put the game far out of reach.
While the fireworks flew, José Ramírez quietly continued his historic campaign. With an RBI double in the first inning, he extended his on-base streak to a career-best 37 games—the longest active streak in Major League Baseball. That same double was the 380th of his career, moving him past the legendary Earl Averill for sole possession of third place in franchise history. Hitting .333 with a .946 OPS, J-Ram isn't just making a case for the All-Star Game; he's a frontrunner for the starting job and is firmly in the MVP conversation.
Holding down the fort on the mound was Logan Allen, who delivered a solid quality start to earn his fourth win. Allen went six innings, allowing just two runs on a pair of solo homers while striking out six. He gave his team a chance to win, and the offense more than backed him up. The bullpen followed with three scoreless innings to seal the deal. This kind of performance is a testament to the club's depth, much of which is homegrown. With a farm system now recognized as one of baseball's most improved, churning out contributors like last year's ALCS rookies and boasting top prospects like Kyle Manzardo and Travis Bazzana, the future in Cleveland looks as bright as the present.
This wasn't just a win; it was a statement. With the offense firing on all cylinders, a superstar playing at an MVP level, and key players returning to form, the Guardians have put the league on notice. This is the kind of explosive, complete victory that can build serious momentum. The Ohio Cup is staying in Cleveland for now, and the focus shifts to keeping this energy rolling. Don't forget to cast those All-Star ballots for J-Ram and Kwan!
