Jose Ramirez hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in the eighth inning, and the Cleveland Guardians beat the visiting Cincinnati Reds 5-2 on Wednesday night.
After giving up a 2-0 lead, the AL Central-champion Guardians (92-67) proved why they’re among the majors’ best teams.
Back from missing nearly two weeks with a back issue, Cleveland’s All-Star outfielder Steven Kwan reached on a two-out single in the eighth against Cincinnati’s Emilio Pagan (4-5). Kyle Manzardo followed with a bloop single, then Ramirez — who earlier tripled and doubled — sent a no-doubt smash into the right-field seats for the All-Star third baseman’s 38th home run as the Guardians swept this two-game set from the Reds (76-83).
A loser in three straight and five of seven, Cincinnati failed to score after loading the bases with none out in the ninth against star Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase, who recorded his franchise-record 47th save.
After setting a plan for their starting postseason rotation, the Guardians opted for a bullpen game Wednesday. Andrew Walters opened with 1 2/3 innings, then was followed by Erik Sabrowski (1 1/3 innings), Cade Smith (one inning) and Eli Morgan (two innings), who collectively retired the first 18 batters faced and fanned seven, while the Guardians held a 2-0 lead.
However, Tim Herrin came on in the seventh and allowed a bunt single to TJ Friedl. The Cincinnati center fielder went to second on Herrin’s wild pickoff attempt and scored via a throwing error by Guardians second baseman Andres Gimenez on Elly De Cruz’s ground ball.
The Reds tied it an inning later against Hunter Gaddis (6-3). Jake Fraley doubled off the 19-foot-high wall in left-center field with one out. Santiago Espinal then singled to center, where Lane Thomas mishandled the ball, allowing Fraley to score.
Kwan wasted no time making a difference in his return. On the second pitch of the first inning off Cincinnati starter Jakob Junis, Kwan went deep into the right field seats for his 14th homer.
The Guardians went ahead 2-0 in the fourth when Ramirez tripled off the right-center field wall and scored on Josh Naylor’s single.
Junis was charged with both runs, while allowing four hits and a walk with three strikeouts in five innings.
–Field Level Media
