Guardians clinch playoff spot with Ramírez's late homer against Reds

On Wednesday night, the Cleveland Guardians secured a 5-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds, thanks to a pivotal three-run homer by José Ramírez in the eighth inning. The Guardians' pitching staff was dominant, retiring the first 18 batters faced, with Andrew Walters tying the MLB record for consecutive hitless appearances to start a career. Hunter Gaddis earned the win, while Emmanuel Clase achieved his franchise-record 47th save, tying for the major league lead. The game saw the Guardians initially leading 2-0, with Josh Naylor contributing an RBI single in the fourth inning. However, the Reds managed to pull within one run after a throwing error by Andrés Giménez allowed a run to score. The Reds then tied the game in the eighth inning due to a mishandled single by Cleveland's center fielder, Lane Thomas, leading to a tense moment for the Guardians. Despite the late-game pressure, Ramírez's homer solidified the Guardians' position as the AL Central champions, ensuring they have a first-round bye in the playoffs. They are also in contention for the top seed in the American League, trailing the New York Yankees by just one game with three games left in the regular season. The Guardians utilized seven pitchers throughout the game, showcasing their depth and strategy in a bullpen game. Looking ahead, the team is preparing for the postseason, with RHP Alex Cobb on the injured list but expected to participate in simulated games before being added to the playoff roster.