Ramirez, Rocchio Power Guardians to Series Win Over Orioles

Cleveland slugger hits two solo homers, infielder drives in three runs in 8-4 victory.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 2:25am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a baseball game, with sharp geometric shapes in the Guardians' and Orioles' team colors colliding to represent the action on the field.The Guardians' offensive firepower proved too much for the Orioles in this weekend series, with Jose Ramirez and Brayan Rocchio leading the way.Cleveland Today

Jose Ramirez hit a pair of solo home runs and Brayan Rocchio had three RBIs as the Cleveland Guardians defeated the visiting Baltimore Orioles 8-4 on Sunday afternoon to win the four-game weekend series.

Why it matters

The Guardians' win keeps them in the hunt in the competitive American League Central division, while the Orioles missed an opportunity to gain ground in the crowded AL Wild Card race.

The details

Ramirez's first homer was part of a five-run fourth inning for the Guardians, who also got a two-run double from Juan Brito. The Orioles answered with four runs in the top of the fifth, highlighted by a three-run shot from Taylor Ward, but Ramirez's second homer later in the inning gave Cleveland a lead it would not relinquish. Rocchio added a two-run single in the eighth to provide insurance.

  • The game was played on Sunday, April 20, 2026.
  • Ramirez's two-homer game was the 28th of his career, a franchise record.

The players

Jose Ramirez

A seven-time MLB All-Star and one of the Guardians' top offensive threats, Ramirez hit two solo home runs in the game to move into second place on the franchise's all-time home run list.

Brayan Rocchio

The Guardians' infielder drove in three runs, including a two-run single in the eighth inning to help seal the victory.

Taylor Ward

The Orioles' outfielder hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning to briefly give Baltimore the lead.

Joey Cantillo

The Guardians' starting pitcher struck out six batters in 4.2 innings of work, allowing four runs (three earned).

Matt Festa

The Guardians' reliever was credited with the win after recording the final two outs of the fifth inning.

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What they’re saying

“Jose Ramirez continues to be the heart and soul of this Guardians team. His power and speed make him one of the most dynamic players in the game.”

— Terry Francona, Guardians Manager

What’s next

The Guardians will look to build on this series win as they continue their homestand, while the Orioles will try to bounce back in their next series.

The takeaway

Ramirez's historic performance and Rocchio's timely hitting proved to be the difference as the Guardians secured an important series victory over a fellow playoff contender in the Orioles.