KANSAS CITY — The Guardians watched a two-run lead disappear in the eighth inning Friday night, then seemed to decide they were done messing around with the Royals by scoring five runs in the ninth to win 12–9. It was a badly needed win in the American League Central race, though Cleveland will have to wait at least another day to claim the division.
Cleveland led 7–5 with two outs in the eighth when Carter Jensen hit his second home run of the night, a two-run shot off Hunter Gaddis that tied the game. The Guardians’ response in the ninth required patience. Nathaniel Lowe, Patrick Bailey and Brayan Rocchio walked to load the bases, but Steven Kwan grounded into a force out that retired Lowe at home.
With two outs, José Ramírez drew a bases-loaded walk to put Cleveland ahead. Chase DeLauter and Petey Halpin followed with run-scoring walks of their own before Angel Martínez doubled home two more runs. Salvador Perez hit a two-run homer for Kansas City in the bottom of the ninth, but Matt Festa got the final out.
The lead had changed hands several times before that finish. Martínez singled home Cleveland’s first two runs in the opening inning, and Austin Hedges homered in the second. After the Royals moved ahead 5–4 in the fourth, David Fry’s two-run homer put the Guardians back in front in the fifth. Brayan Rocchio added an RBI groundout later in the inning.
Martínez finished with four RBIs. Gaddis earned the win despite allowing Jensen’s tying homer, while Nate Pearson took the loss. Cleveland improved to 84–76.
The White Sox beat the Rockies 6–1 Friday, leaving Chicago at 83–77, one game behind Cleveland with two games remaining. Chicago owns the head-to-head tiebreaker, so Cleveland must finish with a better record. Its division magic number is two.
What’s Next
If the White Sox lose, the Guardians will play to win the American League Central as they continue their series in Kansas City on Saturday, September 26, at 7:10 p.m. ET.
