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A16 SPORTS
Friday 20 September 2024

Guardians clinch AL playoff berth with walk-off, 3-2 win in extra

innings over Twins

By TOM WITHERS The Guardians are the sec- locked up a spot Wednes- tive World Series drought, in the 10th, loading the bas-
AP Sports Writer ond AL team to qualify for day night. Cleveland now dating to 1948 when the es with one out against Eli
CLEVELAND (AP) — Andrés the postseason, following has a chance to possibly team was known as the In- Morgan (3-0). But the right-
Giménez singled home the New York Yankees, who end baseball’s longest ac- dians. The Twins threatened hander got out of the jam
José Ramírez from second by retiring Carlos Correa on
base in the 10th inning as a foul pop and Byron Bux-
the Cleveland Guardians ton on a liner to right.
clinched a playoff berth Cleveland’s bullpen, which
in dramatic, fitting fashion, has carried the team all
beating the Minnesota season, combined for 5 2/3
Twins 3-2 on Thursday. hitless innings.
With Ramírez on second Rookie Kyle Manzardo
as the automatic runner, homered for the Guard-
Minnesota reliever Caleb ians, who lowered the
Thielbar (2-4) struck out magic number to clinch
Josh Naylor and the Twins the AL Central title to three.
walked Lane Thomas inten- The Twins, who are trying to
tionally to face Giménez. hold on to a wild card, fell
Cleveland’s second base- into a tie with Detroit for the
man then hit a 3-2 pitch final spot. The Twins own
into right to easily score the tiebreaker.
Ramírez. It’s been an unexpected
As the All-Star third base- season for the Guardians,
man rounded third, Cleve- who went 76-86 last sea-
land’s dugout emptied son while saying goodbye
onto the field in celebra- to beloved manager Terry
tion as the Guardians post- Francona after 11 years.
ed their MLB-leading 42nd Cleveland Guardians’ Andrés Giménez runs out an infield single during the sixth inning of a They figured to be compet-
comeback win and sec- baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Cleveland. itive, not one of baseball’s
ond straight in extra innings. Associated Press best teams.q