Staggering toward the All-Star break, the Cleveland Guardians suddenly came to life and beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2 on Saturday.

Cleveland broke a three-game losing streak by finally recapturing the timely hitting magic that has led the team into first place.

The Rays got on the board in the third inning with the help of a pair of former Cleveland players. Yandy Diaz (2017-18 Indians) doubled to score Richie Palacios (2022 Guardians).

Cleveland scored its first runs of the weekend in fifth inning. Angel Martinez blasted his second home run of the season to right field.

Later in the fifth, Andres Gimenez singled to score Josh Naylor to give Cleveland a 2-1 lead.

In the bottom of the fifth, Palacios hit a grounder to shortstop Daniel Schneeman. He looked back the runner at third, Jonny DeLuca, but made a wild throw to first.  DeLuca scored to tie the game.

The score remained deadlocked until the eighth inning, when manager Stephen Vogt called for the man known as “Big Christmas,” Jhonkensy Noel.

Pinch-hitting for Will Brennan, Noel hit a two-run homer to provide the winning margin for the Guardians.

GO GAVIN GO!

Gavin Williams looked strong on the mound for the second time in his three starts. In five innings, he gave up only three hits and one earned run.

Cleveland’s bullpen kept the Rays off the scoreboard for the final four innings. Nick Sandlin (6-0) got the win, and Emmanuel Clase picked up his 29th save.

The Guardians will try to hit the All-Star break with a series win. Ben Lively (8-4) will take on the Rays’ Ryan Pepiot (5-5). First pitch is set for 1:40 p.m.