Guardians clinch playoff berth with walk-off win over Twins

CLEVELAND (AP) — Andrés Giménez singled home José Ramírez 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 Ramírez 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 Giménez, who had three hits.

Cleveland's second baseman then hit a 3-2 pitch into right to easily score Ramírez.

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,” Giménez 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 Ramírez, 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).

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb