CLEVELAND -- Jose Ramirez has been auditioning for the Home Run Derby ever since finding out he earned a spot in the American League's starting lineup for the upcoming All-Star Game.
Through three innings against the Reds on Wednesday, Ramirez launched two home runs to help the Tribe roll to an 11-0 lead at Progressive Field. Ramirez began the scoring for Cleveland with a two-run homer off Reds starter Tyler Mahle in the first and later punctuated a nine-run third inning with a three-run shot off reliever Tanner Rainey.
The pair of blasts gave Ramirez 27 on the season, moving him one home run shy of MLB leader J.