CLEVELAND (AP) – The Cleveland Indians host the first round of the playoffs, and the New York Yankees arrive in town.
Carlos Santana had 4 RBIs and a two-run double in the seventh inning as the Indians rallied for an 8-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday to take the lead in the area of their American League wild-card series. .
Cleveland (35-25) finished the moment at The Central and stayed in No. in the American League playoffs when the Chicago White Sox lost to the Crosstown Cubs.
“We are proud of our city and seek to play here,” said Indian-designated hitter Franmil Reyes. “We have to give the city of Cleveland what it deserves, which is to keep winning and win a championship. “
The Indians, who have won seven of their last eight games, receive the Yankees in a series of the top three on Tuesday. The opening features a top-notch throwing match, featuring Cy Young favorite Shane Bieber facing New York ace Gerrit Cole.
“We knew we had a chance to be home, so our number one goal,” brad Hand said, closer to Cleveland. “It’s not entirely under our control, but we knew we had to win our game today first. “
The Pirates had a 6-2 lead in the back of the sixth when Reyes hit a three-run home run that chased starter J. Brubaker.
Nik Turley (0-3) continued for the seventh, hitting César Hernandez with a pitch and allowing a double to Jose Ramirez before Santana scored to give Cleveland a 7-6 lead.
A high sacrifice of Reyes led to Santana, who hit a two-run home run in the 3rd after promising interim manager Sandy Alomar Jr. that he would make up for his mistake in the second.
‘I said to Sandy, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll give it back,'” said Santana, who finished 3 out of 3 with two doubles and 3 points. ” I play day by day, play day by day and right now I’m focusing on baseball playoffs. “
James Karinchak (1-2) withdrew the three batters he faced in seventh place for his first primary league win and had four strikeouts for his 16th save 16 chances.
Ramirez, one of the main contenders for the American League Most Valuable Player, doubled and scored two points. He hit Array442 with six houses and 18 RBIs in the last 12 games.
“Joseph, he’s my MVP there, ” said Reyes. ” The way it got us to the finish line is great. Really big, big for the team. “
Pirates rookie Ke’Bryan Hayes hit a single in the first and a home run in the third, the first Pittsburgh player with 8 consecutive hits since Andy Van Slyke in 1994.
The 23-year-old reached the baseline in 10 direct home appearances and finished with an Array376 batting average (32 out of 85) after making his primary league debut on September 1.
José Osuna had a 3 of 3 with two RBIs and two RBIs, achieving a solo career in the fifth inning, and Adam Frazier had a two-run double for Pittsburgh.
The Indians returned to the playoffs for the fourth time in years after not qualifying in 2019 when they were 93-69 and were currently placed in the division.
The Pirates (19-41) finished with major league first-year manager Derek Shelton’s 69-93 record last season and were last in the National League Central Division.
“We jumped early and just didn’t finish the game,” Shelton said. “We talked all year about the end of the games, and it looks like it was the last day of the season. “
STATUS QUO
Baseball operations president Chris Antonetti announced that Alomar will lead the Indians in the playoffs, while manager Terry Francona, who is recovering from gastrointestinal surgery, remains at the team’s hotel and serves as an advisor.
“I’m like the sailor who drives the ship while the captain sleeps in the back,” joked Alomar, who did the 27-19 to upgrade Francona. “Tito just told us to stay and do our thing. “
PACKAGE BOSS
Bieber led the majors with a 1. 63 ERA and 122 strikeouts. His ERA is the lowest in the American League since Luis Tiant scored 1. 60 for Cleveland in 1968.
Bieber also shared the major league leadership with eight wins, tying Yu Darvish of the Cubs. The Most Valuable Player in the 2019 All-Star Game was the first Indian pitcher to win the Triple Crown by launching the American League since Bob Feller in 1940.
BEAUTIFUL GESTURE
Pittsburgh activated C Andrew Susac from the taxi crew after spending the entire season on the team’s premises in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The 30-year-old last played in the majors with Baltimore in 2018.
Susac gained prolonged cheers and a standing ovation from pirate relays when it was first struck out.
COACH’S ROOM
Pirates: C Jacob Stallings (brain concussion) was placed on the seven-day injury list and RHP Keone Kela (forearm) was transferred to IL for forty-five days. Stallings hit through a backswing on Saturday, but played the whole game.
Following
Pirates: Spring opens on February 27 against the Red Sox in Fort Myers, Florida.
Indians: American League wildcard series on Tuesday. Bieber (8-1, 1. 63 ERA), RHP Carlos Carrasco (3-4, 2. 91 ERA) and RHP Zach Plesac (4-2, 2. 28 ERA) will be their holders.
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