Just four days after making his MLB debut for Cleveland, Travis Bazzana has got his first hit in the 14-6 win over the Athletics.
The first Australian to be taken with the No.1 pick in the draft, two years ago, followed up his RBI two-run single in the seventh inning by immediately stealing his first base at Raley Field, West Sacramento, on Saturday (Sunday AEST).
It was the perfect time for the 23-year-old Sydneysider's first major league hit, in front of family and friends, after he was 0-for-12 at the plate to begin his career.
"It felt great," Bazzana said.
"Once it squeaked through, it was nice to get a couple of RBI and get the first one out of the way.
"To turn to the dugout and see them over the railing is a great feeling."
The Guardians' second baseman became the 39th Aussie to play in the majors when he took the field in a 1-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday (AEST).
Bazzana stepped up after a promising season for Cleveland's minor league affiliates the Columbus Clippers.
He also starred for Australia at the recent World Baseball Classic, including scoring a solo home run against world No.2 Chinese Taipei in Tokyo.
Teammate Jose Ramirez, meantime, stole his 300th career base, and David Fry and Kyle Manzardo both hit home runs as Cleveland recorded their 18th win of the season.
Ramirez hit a two-run double in the fifth that gave the Guardians their first lead at 4-3 before he stole third base. He became the second player in franchise history with 300 or more stolen bases, joining Kenny Lofton. Ramirez also joined Starling Marte, Jose Altuve and Trea Turner as the only active players to reach the mark.
Austin Hedges also hit his first homer of the season in the third for Cleveland.
The win was the highest-scoring game for the Guardians since they also tallied 14 runs on June 28, 2023, against Kansas City.
Shea Langeliers hit two homers for the Athletics, a two-run shot in the first and a solo blast in the fifth.
Nick Kurtz had his streak of consecutive games with a walk end at 20, tied for the second-longest in MLB history.
With agencies.
