09/19/24 04:17:00
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09/19 16:15 CDT Guardians clinch AL playoff berth with walk-off, 3-2 win in
extra innings over Twins
Guardians clinch AL playoff berth with walk-off, 3-2 win in extra innings over
Twins
By TOM WITHERS
AP Sports Writer
CLEVELAND (AP) --- Andrs Gimnez singled home Jos Ramrez from second base in
the 10th inning as the Cleveland Guardians clinched a playoff berth in
dramatic, fitting fashion, beating the Minnesota Twins 3-2 on Thursday.
With Ramrez on second as the automatic runner, Minnesota reliever Caleb
Thielbar (2-4) struck out Josh Naylor and the Twins walked Lane Thomas
intentionally to face Gimnez.
Cleveland's second baseman then hit a 3-2 pitch into right to easily score
Ramrez.
As the All-Star third baseman rounded third, Cleveland's dugout emptied onto
the field in celebration as the Guardians posted their MLB-leading 42nd
comeback win and second straight in extra innings.
The Guardians are the second AL team to qualify for the postseason, following
the New York Yankees, who locked up a spot Wednesday night.
Cleveland now has a chance to possibly end baseball's longest active World
Series drought, dating to 1948 when the team was known as the Indians.
The Twins threatened in the 10th, loading the bases with one out against Eli
Morgan (3-0). But the right-hander got out of the jam by retiring Carlos Correa
on a foul pop and Byron Buxton on a liner to right.
Cleveland's bullpen, which has carried the team all season, combined for 5 2/3
hitless innings.
Rookie Kyle Manzardo homered for the Guardians, who lowered the magic number to
clinch the AL Central title to three.
The Twins, who are trying to hold on to a wild card, fell into a tie with
Detroit for the final spot. The Twins own the tiebreaker.
It's been an unexpected season for the Guardians, who went 76-86 last season
while saying goodbye to beloved manager Terry Francona after 11 years. They
figured to be competitive, not one of baseball's best teams.
But it's all come together under first-year manager Stephen Vogt, who before
spring training had never even filled out a lineup card.
Cleveland took control of the division in mid-April, and the Guardians have had
sole possession of first place for all but one day the past five months.
And while All-Stars Ramrez, Josh Naylor, Steven Kwan and Emmanuel Clase led
the way, it's been contributions from youngsters up and down the roster that
has kept Cleveland consistently among the league's best teams.
The Guardians overcame losing ace Shane Bieber in the first weeks of the
season, and Vogt spent most of the season plugging holes in his rotation due to
injuries and ineffectiveness.
Blanked over the first four innings by Cleveland rookie Joey Cantillo, who
allowed just one run over 12 innings in his previous two starts, the Twins
scored twice in the fifth off the left-hander to go up 2-1 on Manuel Margot's
double.
The Guardians tied it in the sixth on Brayan Rocchio's sacrifice fly.
Manzardo put the Guardians up 1-0 in the first with his fourth homer and second
in three days. Manzardo finished with three hits, and since being recalled from
Triple-A Columbus on Sept. 1, he's batting .357 (15 of 42) with four and seven
RBIs in 16 games.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Guardians: RHP Alex Cobb (finger blister) will pitch a simulated game at
Triple-A Toledo in his next step in returning to the rotation. Cobb has been on
the injured list twice and made just three starts with Cleveland since coming
over in a trade from San Francisco in July. ... Vogt said All-Star OF Steven
Kwan (back inflammation) is "feeling better" and making progress after going on
the IL earlier this week. He's eligible to return on Sept. 24.
UP NEXT
Twins: Open a three-game series in Boston on Friday with David Festa (2-6,
5.07) starting. The Red Sox have not announced their starter.
Guardians: Head to St. Louis for their last three road games of the regular
season. Ben Lively (12-9, 3.87) starts Friday against Kyle Gibson (8-7, 4.11).
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
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