José Ramírez hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning after Cleveland’s pitchers retired the first 18 batters, helping the AL Central champion Guardians secure a 5-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday night.
Ramírez’s 38th homer of the season came against Emilio Pagán (4-5) with two outs, driving in Steven Kwan and Angel Martínez. The All-Star third baseman also had a double, a triple, and scored twice. He has 115 RBIs and 40 stolen bases this season.
“One of my favorite things about getting this job is getting to watch José every night,” said Guardians manager Stephen Vogt. “There is really no way to pitch him.”
Cleveland has secured a first-round bye in the playoffs and is still in the race for the top seed in the AL, trailing the New York Yankees by just one game with three games left.
The Guardians used seven pitchers, with Hunter Gaddis (6-3) earning the win and Emmanuel Clase loading the bases before getting his franchise-record 47th save. Clase is tied with St. Louis’ Ryan Helsley for the major league lead in saves.
“Clase is everything to us,” Ramírez said through an interpreter. “Him and all the bullpen guys, we’re where we are because of them.”
Cincinnati didn’t have a baserunner until TJ Friedl reached on a bunt single in the seventh that Tim Herrin couldn’t field in time. Friedl later scored on a throwing error by Andrés Giménez, bringing the Reds within 2-1.
Vogt praised Friedl for making “a good baseball play” with the bunt, even with the game on the line.
“If it was a starter in the game in the seventh inning, that’s different, but not in a bullpen game,” Friedl explained. “(Bunting) is what I do; it’s no surprise. I’m playing the ballgame. We were down two runs.”
