09/19/24 09:51:00
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09/19 21:50 CDT Guardians clinch AL playoff berth with walk-off, 3-2 win in 10
innings over Twins
Guardians clinch AL playoff berth with walk-off, 3-2 win in 10 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, who had three hits.
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 major league-leading
42nd comeback win and second straight in extra innings.
"That's us," Gimnez said. "That's the Cleveland Guardians."
They're 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 goal is to get in," said first-year manager Stephen Vogt. "You get in, you
have a chance."
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.
"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 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, only got three hits and
fell into a tie with Detroit for the final spot.
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 Vogt, who before spring training had never
even filled out a lineup card.
In the dizzying postgame clubhouse delirium, Vogt was presented with a
championship belt by catcher Austin Hedges before all the Guardians 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 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.
Manzardo put the Guardians up 1-0 in the first with his fourth homer and second
in three days. He finished with three hits, and since being recalled from
Triple-A Columbus on Sept. 1, Manzardo is 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 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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