Andrés Giménez hit a single in the 10th inning to bring home José Ramírez from second base, helping the Cleveland Guardians secure a playoff spot in an exciting game against the Minnesota Twins, winning 3-2 on Thursday.
With Ramírez as the automatic runner on second, Minnesota’s reliever Caleb Thielbar struck out Josh Naylor. The Twins then chose to walk Lane Thomas to pitch to Giménez, who had already gotten three hits in the game.
Giménez then connected with a 3-2 pitch, sending the ball into right field to easily score Ramírez.
As Ramírez rounded third base, the Guardians’ dugout rushed onto the field in celebration, marking their 42nd comeback win of the season and their second consecutive win in extra innings.
“That’s us,” Giménez said. “That’s the Cleveland Guardians.” They became the second team in the American League to reach the playoffs, following the New York Yankees, who secured their spot the night before.
Cleveland now has a chance to break baseball’s longest active World Series drought, which goes back to 1948 when they were known as the Indians.
“The goal is to get in,” said first-year manager Stephen Vogt. “You get in, you have a chance.”
In the 10th inning, the Twins put pressure on by loading the bases with one out against Eli Morgan. However, Morgan managed to escape the situation by getting Carlos Correa to pop out and Byron Buxton to hit a line drive to right field.
Cleveland’s bullpen, which has been strong all season, pitched 5 2/3 hitless innings.
“They’re the best bullpen in the league for a reason and they show that every time,” said Minnesota’s Matt Wallner.
Rookie Kyle Manzardo hit a home run for the Guardians, reducing the number of wins needed to clinch the AL Central title to three.
The Twins, who are fighting for a wild card spot, only managed three hits and now find themselves tied with Detroit for the last playoff spot.
It’s been a surprising season for the Guardians, who finished 76-86 last year and said goodbye to their beloved manager Terry Francona after 11 years. They expected to be competitive but not one of the best teams in baseball.
However, things have come together under manager Stephen Vogt, who had never filled out a lineup card before spring training.
In the joyful postgame celebration, catcher Austin Hedges presented Vogt with a championship belt, and the team showered their manager with champagne and beer.
“He’s one of the most special humans I’ve ever met, not just as a manager but as a man,” said Hedges, who re-signed with Cleveland after winning a World Series in Texas last season. “He’s a leader of men.
“We had one of the greatest managers in the history of baseball for a long time and I love Terry Francona with all my heart. But this was probably the best year of managing I’ve seen in all my life.”
Cleveland took control of the division in mid-April and has held first place for all but one day over the last five months.
While All-Stars Ramírez, Josh Naylor, Steven Kwan, and Emmanuel Clase have played key roles, contributions from young players throughout the team have helped keep Cleveland among the best.
The Guardians managed to overcome the loss of their ace Shane Bieber early in the season, and Vogt has spent much of the year adjusting his rotation due to injuries and underperformance.
Manzardo gave the Guardians a 1-0 lead in the first inning with his fourth home run, which was his second in three days. He ended the game with three hits, and since being called up from Triple-A Columbus on September 1, Manzardo is batting .357 (15 of 42) with four home runs and seven RBIs in 16 games.
