Andres Gimenez singled home Jose Ramirez from second base in the 10th inning as the Guardians clinched a playoff berth, beating the Twins 3-2 on Thursday.
CLEVELAND — Andres Gimenez singled home Jose Ramirez 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 Ramirez 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 Gimenez, who had three hits.
Cleveland’s second baseman then hit a 3-2 pitch into right to easily score Ramirez.
As the All-Star third baseman rounded third, Cleveland’s dugout emptied onto the field in celebration as the Guardians posted their MLB-leading 42nd comeback win and second straight in extra innings.
“That’s us”, Gimenez said. “That’s the Cleveland Guardians.”
The Guardians are 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 championship 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).
