When Terry Francona retired as the Guardians manager after the 2023 season, Cleveland fans never expected to see him in the opposite dugout.

He only needed one year off, as he took over the Cincinnati Reds. In typical fashion, Francona has taken a team with little star power and made them respectable.

The Reds (24-24) finished a weekend sweep of the visiting Cleveland Guardians with a 3-1 victory on Sunday.

Cleveland has lost four in a row and is in the third place in the AL Central Division. Detroit is in first at 31-16.

Minnesota just reeled off 13 wins in a row to move into second place. The Twins will host the Guardians tonight.

THAT’S ENOUGH, WILL

Will Benson provided all of the Reds’ offense. He hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning off Guardians starter Luis Ortiz (2-5, 4.66 ERA).

Hunter Gaddis relieved Ortiz in the sixth inning, and Benson took him deep, too. Benson hit four homers against his former team, and he has five bombs in his last four games.

Meanwhile, Cleveland couldn’t score in the first five innings against starter Andrew Abbott or in the sixth against former teammate Scott Barlow.

Cleveland finally got on the scoreboard in the seventh when Carlos Santana singled to score Bo Naylor.

In the ninth, Naylor doubled and Jose Ramirez singled. With the winning run at the plate, Reds closer Emilio Pagan struck out Santana and Will Brennan to end the game.

CHANGING HISTORY

The Reds swept the Guardians for the first time since 2012. Just one victory in Cleveland in mid-June will allow Cincinnati to take home the Ohio Cup for the first time in 10 years.

Cleveland will move on to Minnesota for a three-game series against the Twins. Logan Allen (2-2) will take the mound for the Guardians against Bailey Ober (4-1). First pitch is set for 7:40 p.m.