The Cleveland Guardians generated more than enough offense to beat the Detroit Tigers last night, and more hitting help is on the way.

Jose Ramirez bashed two home runs in an 8-4 victory. The Guardians also traded for Washington Nationals outfielder Lane Thomas.

Thomas is hitting .250 with 8 homers, 40 RBI, and 28 stolen bases. He was usually the Nationals’ leadoff hitter and starting right fielder. Cleveland sent infielder Jose Tena and two other minor-leaguers to Washington.

BULLPEN BASH

Jack Flaherty was not traded by Detroit (yet), but he was still pulled from his start to avoid a last-minute injury. This allowed the Guardians to beat up the Tigers’ relievers, who pitched the entire game.

Beau Brieske started for Detroit, and he didn’t survive the first inning. Cleveland raced to a 3-0 lead on run-scoring hits from Ramirez, Josh Naylor, and Jhonkensy Noel.

Ramirez hit a solo homer in the third inning, and Bo Naylor increased the lead to 7-0 with a three-run bomb in the sixth.

In the eighth, Ramirez went deep again for his 26th homer of the season. He tied Albert Belle for second place on Cleveland’s all-time home run list with 242. Jim Thome is in first place with 337.

PITCHING PROWESS

Tanner Bibee pitched like an ace again for Cleveland. He delivered six innings and gave up two runs to improve his record to 9-4.

Detroit tacked on two more in the ninth when Wenceel Perez homered off Hunter Gaddis.

This series will end before you know it. The teams play at 1:10 p.m. today with Gavin Williams (0-3) on the hill for Cleveland. Detroit will pitch a bullpen game against the Guardians for the fourth time in two weeks.