The Cleveland Guardians are red-hot, and keep getting important victories as they try to secure a playoff spot.
On Thursday afternoon, they defeated the Detroit Tigers, 4-3, in a hotly contested affair that went to extras.
Trevor Stephan had blown a save chance in the ninth inning by allowing a couple of runs that let the Tigers tie things at three.
However, with the game tied at three runs apiece, outfielder Oscar Gonzalez came up big in the top of the 10th inning, driving in the winning run with a single off left-hander Gregory Soto.
Oscar Gonzalez has the @CleGuardians back on top in the 10th! 🙌#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/XySTCa8K1V
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) August 11, 2022
Veteran Bryan Shaw had to be called upon to close out the game in the bottom of the 10th, and he did it in style with a clean inning and two strikeouts.
Steven Kwan had hit a home run, and Gonzalez was the hero of the afternoon by going 2-for-5 with the winning hit.
The Guardians Are Marching Toward The AL Central Title
The Guardians are now 59-52 and their lead in the AL Central race is now 1.5 games over the Minnesota Twins.
The Guards have won five games in a row and seven of their last 10, as they continue to defy the odds and lead the AL Central.
Most specialists and analysts had the Chicago White Sox as the favorites to take the crown prior to the start of the season.
However, while they remain close at three games back, the Guardians are now in pole position to take the division if they can maintain their current level for a few more weeks.
The Guardians, Twins, and White Sox will likely fight for the Central crown until the very last day, but Cleveland’s young studs keep surprising everybody.
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