CLEVELAND (AP) — José Ramírez hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning after Cleveland pitchers retired the first 18 batters, lifting the AL Central champion Guardians to a 5-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday night. Ramírez hit his 38th homer of the season, connecting against Emilio Pagán (4-5) with two outs to score Steven Kwan and Angel Martínez. The All-Star third baseman also doubled, tripled and scored twice.
He has 115 RBIs and 40 stolen bases. “One of my favorite things about getting this job is getting to watch José every night,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “There is really no way to pitch him.
” Cleveland has wrapped up a first-round bye in the playoffs and remains in the hunt for the top seed in the AL, trailing the New York Yankees by a game with three remaining. The Guardians used seven pitchers, with Hunter Gaddis (6-3) picking up the win and Emmanuel Clase loading the bases before getting his franchise-record 47th save. Clase tied St.
Louis’ Ryan Helsley for the major league lead. “Clase is everything to us,” Ramírez said through an interpreter. “Him and all the bullpen guys, we’re where we are because of them.
” Cincinnati did not have a baserunner until TJ Friedl reached on a bunt single in the seventh that Tim Herrin could not field in time. Friedl would come home on a throwing error by Andrés Giménez, pulling the Reds within 2-1. Vogt said Friedl made “a good baseball play” by laying down the.
