The Cleveland Guardians take the series over the St. Louis Cardinals after a 4-2, come-from-behind win.
27, 398 fans down at Progressive Field witnessed a roller coaster of emotion on Sunday afternoon. This whirlwind is perfectly summed up by Baseball Savant's win-expectant chart.
The Cleveland Guardians tried to shake it up on Sunday afternoon with a slightly different lineup. However, the outcome was largely the same and the struggles were familiar throughout the first part of the game.
In the end, it was the Guardians who came out on the winning side of a one-run game as Jose Ramirez walked off the St. Louis Cardinals for a 4-3 win.
Let's bring it back to the beginning though.
Terry Francona tried something a little different for the series finale. Tyler Freeman got the start at second base and David Fry began the game at first base. But these changes didn't bring a different outcome.
Freeman was 0-2 in his two plate appearances before being subbed out for Andres Gimenez and Fry was also hitless before his day was over in favor of Josh Naylor.
Cleveland's first two runs came from RBI from Josh Bell and Steven Kwan.
The Guardians had a fantastic opportunity to tie the game or take the lead in the eighth inning. The bases were loaded with just one out as Will Brennan came into the game to pinch-hit for Mike Zunino. But Brennan hit into a double play ending the rally before it even started.
Their next Talyor-made opportunity was in the bottom of the ninth Ryan Helsley walked both Myles Straw and Steven Kwan aboard with just one out. Amed Rosario got out, but it was Ramirez who came in clutch and drove home the two game-winning runs.
This win and series victory could be a huge momentum bump for Guardians! Hopefully, this is the spark this team needs as they travel to Baltimore for what will be tough series against the Orioles.
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Photo Credit © Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
