José Ramírez homered for a third straight game, Angel Martínez also went deep and the Cleveland Guardians got a 4-2 win over the Houston Astros on Wednesday night to complete a three-game sweep. Slade Cecconi (4-4) allowed five hits and two runs with a career-best nine strikeouts in 7-plus innings for the win.

(AP) — Cleveland Guardians third baseman José Ramírez will no longer be playing in the 2025 MLB All-Star Game. Houston third baseman Isaac Paredes was picked Wednesday to replace Ramírez, who had been the starting third baseman. The Guardians said Ramírez wanted “to focus on recovery and preparation for the second half of the season.”

The team says Ramírez will instead 'focus on recovery and preparation for the second half of the season.' The 32-year-old has dealt with several nagging injuries.

Finally, the Cleveland Guardians were able to collect a couple of timely hits, and just like that, snapped their 10-game losing streak with a 7-5 victory over the Houston Astros. One of the key moments of the night was Brayan Rocchio's two-run RBI double, which gave the Guardians a two-run lead at the time.

Victor Caratini's two-out homer in the bottom of the inning drew the Astros within a run, but they got no closer. David Fry added a two-out solo homer off Kaleb Ort in the ninth for the final margin.

An inability to score runs has caused the Cleveland Guardians to fall rapidly in the American League Central standings.

However, Cleveland's eighth-ranked prospect has spent more time on the injured list this season than on the field, and Brito is headed right back to the IL following a recent injury. The organization announced on Tuesday that Brito has been placed on the 7-day injured list with a left hamstring strain.

The Guardians were one strike away from a huge win against Tarik Skubal and the Tigers. Then it fell apart in stunning fashion.

HOUSTON — Baseball fans know what an intentional walk is. For a refresher, just look at what happens when Jose Ramirez comes to the plate in a game-deciding situation. He’s waved to first base on a free pass. Pitchers don’t even have to throw four pitches off the plate anymore.