In a thrilling matchup on Wednesday night, the Cleveland Guardians emerged victorious with a 5-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds. The game saw José Ramírez taking center stage by hitting a crucial three-run homer in the eighth inning, his 38th homer of the season. This pivotal hit came after Cleveland pitchers had retired the first 18 batters, displaying a dominant performance on the mound.
Ramírez’s homer against Emilio Pagán proved to be a game-changer, scoring Steven Kwan and Angel Martínez. The All-Star third baseman had a remarkable game, also contributing with a double, a triple, and scoring twice. His season tally now stands at 115 RBIs, underlining his importance to the Guardians’ lineup.
With this victory, Cleveland solidified their position at the top of the AL Central division and secured a first-round bye in the playoffs. They are still in contention for the top seed in the AL, trailing the New York Yankees by just a game with three games left in the regular season.
The Guardians utilized seven pitchers in the game, with Hunter Gaddis (6-3) ultimately earning the win. Emmanuel Clase played a pivotal role, securing his franchise-record 47th save and tying for the major league lead in saves with St. Louis’ Ryan Helsley.
Cincinnati struggled to get their offense going, with their first baserunner coming in the seventh inning when TJ Friedl reached on a bunt single. The Reds capitalized on a throwing error to score their first run. They continued to put pressure on Cleveland, eventually tying the game at 2-2 in the eighth inning.
The Guardians’ strong pitching performance kept Cincinnati at bay, with Andrew Walters making a notable contribution by setting a franchise record with an eighth straight hitless appearance at the start of his career. Erik Sabrowski, Cade Smith, and Eli Morgan maintained the momentum, keeping the Reds off the bases through the sixth inning.
Before the game, Guardians manager Stephen Vogt announced strategic pitching decisions for the upcoming playoffs, opting for Tanner Bibee and Matthew Boyd to start in the ALDS. The team also revealed plans to deploy multiple pitchers in a non-traditional starting role in the final game of the regular season against the Astros.
In terms of player injuries, the Reds’ Jonathan India was in concussion protocol and did not start the game, while the Guardians’ Alex Cobb is working his way back from a finger blister, remaining on the IL ahead of the postseason.
Looking ahead, the Reds will face the Cubs at Wrigley Field without announcing their starters, while the Guardians will send out LHP Joey Cantillo against Astros RHP Ronel Blanco in the first game of a crucial three-game series.