Trending
CLEVELAND -- Austin Hedges scored the first run of the game for the Guardians but had a bigger moment after the final out.
Hedges proposed to his girlfriend, Lexi Dickinson, on the field Sunday following Cleveland's 8-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. She happily accepted.
"I've had the ring since early spring training, but was just trying to figure out when the right time was," Hedges said. "I was going to do it regardless … but I really wanted to win that game to make it extra special."
The 33-year-old catcher and his wife-to-be began dating in November 2024. He is in his 12th major league season, including six with Cleveland.
Hedges is popular and respected in the Guardians' clubhouse, which is why many of his teammates were present for the proposal. They stood a respectful distance away from the couple.
"I had a lot of nerves today," he said. "I'm always nervous for baseball games, but just trying to stay present, knowing there were some activities after made it harder. It was a special day. A special day to be able to soak it all in."
Hedges is batting .250 with two RBIs in nine games this season. Cleveland is 8-0 when he starts behind the plate.
A 2023 World Series champion with the Texas Rangers, Hedges reached 10 years in major league service time on March 30. He debuted with San Diego in 2015 and spent parts of six seasons with the Padres. He also played for Pittsburgh in 2023.
While Dickinson remained on the diamond, accepting congratulations from friends and other Guardians spouses and wives, Hedges took a quick shower and changed into a stylish maroon suit.
"Now, we're going to go to dinner and then just have a night to ourselves and enjoy it," he said.
Ramirez goes deep
Jose Ramirez homered twice, Brayan Rocchio had three hits and three RBIs, and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Orioles 8-4 on Sunday to take three of four from Baltimore.
Ramirez went deep in the fourth and fifth innings off Trevor Rogers (2-2), increasing his franchise record for multi-homer games to 28. He also moved past Earl Averill into second place in Cleveland history with 138 home runs at home.
Juan Brito hit a two-run double and Rocchio had an RBI single in the fourth as the Guardians scored four times to make it 5-0. Rocchio singled home Rhys Hoskins and David Fry in the eighth against Cameron Foster.
Taylor Ward hit his first homer as an Oriole, a three-run shot in the fifth, and Dylan Beavers drove in a run with a grounder for Baltimore, which has lost five of six. Ward, who hit 36 homers for the Los Angeles Angels last season, reached base for the 20th time in his last 21 games and has 11 RBIs during the span.
Matt Festa (1-0) retired the final batter in the fifth with the bases loaded. Rule 5 Draft selection Peyton Pallette followed with two perfect innings.
The Guardians are 38-21 against the Orioles since 2017. Baltimore has not won a season series against Cleveland since 2016.
RamÌrez is batting .342 with five homers in his last 11 games.
Rogers allowed a season-high six runs, five earned, in five innings. Guardians starter Joey Cantillo worked 4 2/3 innings, giving up four runs, three earned.
Cleveland catcher Austin Hedges won both of his challenges in the first two innings.
Up next
Orioles: RHP Kyle Bradish (1-2, 5.49 ERA) pitches Monday at Kansas City.
Guardians: RHP Slade Cecconi (0-2, 5.03) starts Monday against Houston.