Lowe's sacrifice fly breaks tie and lifts Guardians past Red Sox, 3-2, helping them atop AL Central

BOSTON (AP) — Nathaniel Lowe had a tiebreaking sacrifice fly off reliever Erik Miller in the ninth inning, and the Cleveland Guardians maintained their slim first-place lead in the AL Central with a 3-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night.

Angel Martínez had three hits for the Guardians, who hold a one-game lead over the White Sox atop the Central and have won six straight. Chicago, which won 14-11 over Kansas City, owns the tiebreaker by winning the season series. Cleveland stranded a season-high for a nine-inning game of 15 baserunners.

The loss was Boston’s eighth in 12 games, spoiling Chad Tracy’s first game as manager after the club named him its 49th in team history.

Adley Rutschman added three hits for Boston, which clinched one of the AL’s wild-card spots Sunday.

Boston pinch hitter Mickey Gasper hit Hunter Gaddis’ first pitch, tying it at 2-2 leading off the eighth.

Gaddis (5-3) got the win and Cade Smith the final three outs for his 40th save.

Miller (4-2) hit a batter and gave up two hits in an inning.

A strong candidate for the AL Rookie of the Year, Cleveland left-hander Parker Messick gave up a run over five innings. He lowered his ERA to 2.55 and is on pace to become the fourth rookie starting pitcher in MLB history with an ERA under 2.60 and averaging 9.0 or more strikeouts per nine innings.

In his tune-up for a likely playoff start next week, Boston lefty Payton Tolle struggled with his control over 5 2/3 innings, giving up two runs on eight hits. In his previous start on Sept. 13, he had Boston’s second recorded immaculate inning that opened a game.

Guardians LHP Foster Griffin (15-5, 3.67 ERA) is set to face Red Sox RHP Sonny Gray (17-5, 2.82) on Wednesday in the middle game of the three-game series.

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Cleveland Guardians' Angel Martínez watches his single during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Red Sox manager Chad Tracy walks on the field during batting practice prior to a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Parker Messick delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Red Sox's Mickey Gasper watches the flight of his solo home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

ATLANTA (AP) — Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. left Atlanta's game against Cincinnati in the third inning after fouling a ball off his left leg Tuesday night.

Acuña was listed as day-to-day with a contusion after X-rays and a CT scan showed no serious damage. He was able to walk slowly off the field under his own power after hobbling away from the battling circle and dropping to his knees in clear pain.

“Good news with Ronald,” manager Walt Weiss said after the Braves lost to the Reds 4-0.

The injury comes with the playoffs just a week away for Atlanta, which clinched its seventh NL East title in the past nine years. The Braves are likely to open the playoffs hosting a best-of-three series against the lowest-seeded wild-card team.

Asked if he had any worries about Acuña being ready for the postseason, Weiss replied, “Not as I sit here today, unless things change. But no, as I sit here today, no concerns.”

Acuña was tended to for several minutes by the Braves trainer, with Weiss looking on intently, before heading straight to the home clubhouse.

“Very concerned at the time,” Weiss said. “He hits the ball so hard. His foul balls off the feet and legs are not the same as the average Joe. The ball comes off his bat so hot, so I was concerned at first.”

Acuña went down on a 3-1 pitch from Brandon Williamson with the Reds up 1-0. The slugging outfielder took a big swing, sending the ball off his left shin, below the knee and just above a protective guard. He dropped to the dirt with a big grimace, pulled himself up and limped a few feet away from the box before going to the ground again.

The 2023 NL MVP has been one of Atlanta's hottest hitters down the stretch, hitting seven homers in his last 18 games — including a grand slam in a sweep of the Astros last weekend. He is batting .259 with 20 homers, 55 RBIs and 20 stolen bases.

“We'll see how he feels tomorrow,” Weiss said. “He's going to be sore. Obviously, we'll err on the side of caution at this time of years. But all things considered, it's good news.”

The Braves have five games left in the regular season. Brewer Hicklen took over the leadoff spot and right field after Acuña left the game.

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On a 3-1 pitch,

Acuna foul ball off left leg, just above a protective pad. Acuna went down in a heap, hobbled out of the batting circle and dropped to his knees again while attended to by manager Walt Weiss and the trainer. Acuna eventually left the game,

Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr. singles off Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown in the fifth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)

Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr., center, celebrates on the field after a baseball game against the Houston Astros as the Braves clinched the NL East title, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)