With one sweet swing, José Ramírez pushed the Cleveland Indians in the playoffs and strengthened his case for the AL MVP award.
Ramírez hit a three-run homer with two outs in the 10th inning, giving Cleveland a 5-3 win over the Chicago White Sox that clinched a postseason berth Tuesday night.
Ramírez’s drive to right off José Ruiz scored César Hernández and Francisco Lindor, setting off a wild celebration at home plate as the Indians reached the postseason for the fourth time in five years.
Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Cal Quantrill deliver in the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)
Lindor had pulled Cleveland within one on a two-out double that plated Roberto Perez, who began the inning on second base. After Matt Foster (5-1) walked Hernández, Ruiz entered and gave up the game-ending drive.
AL Central-leading Chicago lost for the fourth time in five games, creating a log jam at the top of the division. Minnesota is in second and Cleveland is just three games back.
Aces Lucas Giolito of the White Sox and Shane Bieber of the Indians face off Wednesday night.
Chicago White Sox's Jose Abreu celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)
Chicago grabbed a 3-1 lead with two runs in the top of the 10th against Phil Maton (3-3). Adam Engel tripled home James McCann, then scored on Nick Madrigal’s single.
Ramírez, making a late push for the MVP award, has 12 home runs and 26 RBIs in his last 24 games.
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Chicago White Sox's Yoan Moncada can't hang onto a ball hit by Cleveland Indians' Franmil Reyes in the sixth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020, in Cleveland. Reyes was safe at first base. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)