CLEVELAND (AP) — With one candy swing, Jose Ramirez pushed the Cleveland Indians into the playoffs and strengthened his case for the AL MVP award.

Ramirez hit a three-run homer with two outs within the 10th inning, giving Cleveland a 5-Three win over the Chicago White Sox that clinched a postseason berth Tuesday night time.

Ramirez’s drive to proper off Jose Ruiz scored Cesar Hernandez and Francisco Lindor, setting off a wild celebration at house plate because the Indians reached the postseason for the fourth time in 5 years.

”As soon as I hit it, I knew it was a house run as a result of I received it proper on the barrel,” mentioned Ramirez, who’s hitting .500 (14 of 28) with six homers and 16 RBIs in his final seven video games. ”There was so much much less champagne than common, however it was nonetheless celebration.”

Lindor had pulled Cleveland inside one on a two-out double that plated Roberto Perez, who started the inning on second base. After Matt Foster (5-1) walked Hernandez, Ruiz entered and gave up the game-ending drive.

”That is unbelievable what Jose did,” Indians performing supervisor Sandy Alomar Jr. mentioned. ”He is a tricky man, a clutch man.”

AL Central-leading Chicago misplaced for the fourth time in 5 video games, making a log jam on the high of the division. Minnesota is in second and Cleveland is simply three video games again.

Aces Lucas Giolito of the White Sox and Shane Bieber of the Indians face off Wednesday.

Chicago grabbed a 3-1 lead with two runs within the high of the 10th in opposition to Phil Maton (3-3). Adam Engel hit an RBI triple and scored on Nick Madrigal’s single.

Earlier within the inning, White Sox supervisor Rick Renteria and shortstop Tim Anderson had been ejected by umpire Angel Hernandez after Luis Robert checked out a referred to as third strike.

”(Hernandez) continued to maintain his ears open to no matter was happening within the dugout, versus simply the sector,” Renteria mentioned. ”If we win that ballgame, no person is considering frustrations. Now we have 5 video games left, we have got to place ourselves on monitor.”

Hernandez hit a solo shot within the first and Chicago tied it within the sixth when Jose Abreu linked off Adam Plutko, sending a drive to right-center for his 19th homer.

Abreu leads the AL with 56 RBIs and 74 hits. He’s second in homers and third with a .332 batting common. Fellow MVP candidate Anderson went 1 for 4, dropping his common to .353, whereas Ramirez has 12 house runs and 26 RBIs in his final 24 video games.

”If it occurs, will probably be a fantastic blessing from God, however within the meantime, I’ll have a blast on the sector,” Ramirez mentioned. ”I have been a finalist two occasions, however I do not give it some thought.”

White Sox starter Reynaldo Lopez labored 5 innings, permitting three hits and placing out three. Nearer Alex Colome labored an ideal ninth earlier than experiencing again spasms that prevented him from persevering with in further innings.

Proper-hander Cal Quantrill gave up one hit in 4 scoreless innings for the Indians, changing into the ninth Canadian-born pitcher to start out for the franchise.

Indians supervisor Terry Francona missed his 41st recreation as he recovers from gastrointestinal surgical procedure and blood-clotting points.

RELIEF ROLE

Indians right-hander Triston McKenzie, who gained his main league debut on Aug. 22, has been moved to the bullpen in preparation for the primary spherical of the playoffs. The 23-year-old prospect went 2-1 with a 3.68 ERA in six begins.

”I feel he can convey velocity out of the bullpen,” Alomar mentioned.

TRAINER’S ROOM

White Sox: C Yasmani Grandal (proper hand bruise) was not within the lineup, however struck out as a pinch hitter within the 10th inning, at some point after being struck by a foul ball off the bat of Tyler Naquin.

Indians: RHP Jefry Rodriguez (proper shoulder pressure) is on the 45-day injured record and won’t pitch once more this season. Cleveland has solely made three IL strikes since setting its roster on July 23.

UP NEXT

White Sox: Giolito (4-3, 3.53 ERA) has not logged a choice in two begins in opposition to Cleveland this season, posting a 1.38 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 13 innings. Giolito is predicted to start out Chicago’s first postseason recreation.

Indians: Bieber (8-1, 1.74 ERA) makes his 12th and ultimate begin of the common season. The 2019 All-Star Sport MVP leads the AL in wins, ERA and strikeouts with 112. Bieber is broadly thought of the Cy Younger Award favourite.

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