Martínez homers from both sides of the plate as Guardians beat Athletics to stay atop AL Central

CLEVELAND (AP) — Angel Martínez homered from both sides of the plate as part of his second career four-hit game, Chase DeLauter had a three-run homer, and the Cleveland Guardians remained in first place in the AL Central with a 12-6 victory over the Athletics on Saturday night.

It is the second time this month a Guardians' hitter has homered from both sides of the plate. Brayan Rocchio did it on Sept. 4 against Detroit.

Martínez, who also drove in four runs, had a two-run homer during a five-run first inning and a solo shot in the fourth as the Guardians won their fourth straight. Cleveland (80-75) has a one-game lead over the Chicago White Sox, who defeated Detroit 3-1.

The Guardians also scored five runs in the third on the strength of four doubles, including David Fry's two-run line drive.

Cleveland had five players with at least two hits. Slade Cecconi (5-7) worked the last two innings to get the win.

Donovan Walton had three hits, including a two-run homer in the fifth, and drove in four runs for the Athletics.

Athletics starter Jacob Lopez (6-5) allowed 10 runs and 10 hits in 2 2/3 innings.

Cleveland starter Tanner Bibee went 4 2/3 innings and gave up six runs on 12 hits.

Cleveland sends RHP Gavin Williams (13-8, 3.78 ERA) to the mound in its last regular-season home game. RHP Jack Perkins (3-11, 6.14) will go for the Athletics.

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Cleveland Guardians' Brayan Rocchio forces Athletics' Henry Bolte at second base and throws to first to complete a double play during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Athletics' Zack Gelof throws out Cleveland Guardians' Jo Adell at first base during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Cleveland Guardians' Jose Ramirez, center, reacts after scoring on a single hit by Angel Martinez during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Cleveland Guardians' Angel Martinez reacts after hitting a two-run home run off Athletics starting pitcher Jacob Lopez during the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

CINCINNATI (AP) — Matthew Boyd ended a six-start winless streak, Dansby Swanson hit his first home run since coming off the injured list and the Chicago Cubs moved closer to their second straight playoff berth by beating the Cincinnati Reds 5-2 Saturday.

Michael Busch hit a tiebreaking home run off Nick Lodolo (3-6) in the sixth inning for a 3-2 lead, reaching 20 homers for the third time in four seasons.

Swanson added a ninth-inning drive against Zach McCambley, Swanson's home run and first since Aug. 12. Swanson returned Friday from a strained left oblique that had sidelined him since Aug. 16.

Chicago (86-69), which leads the major leagues with 214 home runs, began the day tied with Philadelphia and San Diego for the three NL wild cards.

Boyd (9-5) had been been 0-4 since beating Kansas City on Aug. 9. He allowed two runs — one earned — and two hits in five innings as part of a four-hitter.

Lodolo gave up three runs and six hits in seven innings for the Reds, who have lost nine of 12.

Matt Shaw's sacrifice fly in the second and Seiya Suzuki RBI single in the fifth built a 2-0 lead.

Cincinnati tied the score in the bottom half on Swanson's run-scoring throwing error at shortstop and . Ke’Bryan Hayes' RBI single.

Nico Hoerner added a run-scoring single in the eighth.

Cubs LHP David Peterson (8-8, 5.11) and Reds LHP Rhett Lowder (6-11, 5.79) start Sunday.

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Chicago Cubs' Michael Busch smiles after hitting a solo home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)

Chicago Cubs pitcher Matthew Boyd delivers during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)

Cincinnati Reds' Eugenio Suarez advances to third base on a single by JJ Bleday, not pictured, during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)

Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson fields a ground ball during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)

Chicago Cubs pitcher Matthew Boyd follows through on a delivery during the second inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, in Cincinnati, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)