The Cleveland Guardians continued their postseason push with another come-from-behind victory, rallying past the Miami Marlins 9-4 on Thursday night at Progressive Field.
José Ramírez fueled the offense with three hits and three runs scored, while Gabriel Arias drove in two runs as the Guardians overcame early deficits of 3-0 and 4-3 to secure their 23rd win in 32 games. The surge has moved Cleveland within a half-game of the idle New York Yankees for the final American League wild-card spot.
Miami jumped ahead quickly against Tanner Bibee (9-9). Augustin Ramírez delivered an RBI single in the first inning, and a defensive miscue proved costly for Cleveland when catcher Austin Hedges dropped a throw at the plate. The error allowed Kyle Stowers and Ramírez to cross home, giving the Marlins a 3-0 lead.
The Guardians chipped away, tying the game at 3 before Miami briefly reclaimed a 4-3 edge in the fourth. Cleveland’s decisive push came in the fifth when Arias’ sacrifice fly off starter Edward Cabrera (6-6) capped a two-run frame, giving the Guardians a 5-4 advantage they would not relinquish.
The breakthrough inning came in the seventh, when Cleveland strung together four runs against reliever Valente Bellozo. David Fry and Brayan Rocchio each delivered RBI singles, blowing the game open at 9-4.
Bibee battled through 5 2/3 innings, allowing four runs (two earned) while extending his winning streak to five starts. Cade Smith was summoned in the ninth with the bases loaded and two outs and retired Liam Hicks to lock down his sixth save.
For Miami, Cabrera surrendered five runs on seven hits across 5 1/3 innings. Rookie Jakob Marsee, who tied a franchise record with seven RBIs earlier in the series, went hitless in four at-bats.
Ramírez also reached another milestone on the night, passing franchise legend Kenny Lofton for third place in team history with 977 career runs scored. The seven-time All-Star has spent his entire 13-year career with Cleveland.
Stowers was initially called out at the plate in the first inning, but when the ball slipped from Hedges’ glove, umpire Clint Vondrak overturned the call and signaled him safe, sparking Miami’s early three-run lead.
Cleveland improved to 23-9 over its last 32 games, positioning itself firmly in the AL Wild Card chase.
Marlins: RHP Sandy Alcantara (6-11, 6.55 ERA) opens a three-game series Friday in Boston.
Guardians: LHP Joey Cantillo (3-2, 4.11 ERA) takes the mound Friday as Cleveland hosts the Atlanta Braves.
