CLEVELAND (AP) — Pinch-hitter Amed Rosario had a base-loaded single in the 10th inning to give the Cleveland Guardians a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday night.
Rosario, who wasn't in the starting lineup as manager Terry Francona rests his regulars after wrapping up the the AL Central, batted for Luke Maile, He lined the first pitch over the head of right fielder Manuel Margot to score Oscar Gonzalez from third base.
Gonzalez began the inning as the automatic runner against Javy Guerra (2-1). Andrés Giménez was intentionally walked. After a sacrifice, Will Brennan was also intentionally walked before Rosario hit the winner.
Guardians rookie Gabriel Árias hit his first major league home run in the third. James Karinchak (2-0) struck out the side in the 10th.
The game that was delayed for 1 hour, 3 minutes in the seventh inning by rain wasn’t a total washout for the Rays.
Tampa Bay’s magic number to wrap up a wild-card spot dropped to two with Baltimore losing to Boston. Staff ace Tyler Glasnow allowed one run in three innings in his first appearance in over a year following Tommy John surgery.
Glasnow pitched for the Rays for the first time since June 14, 2021. The right-hander threw 50 pitches and reached the high 90s several times. He struck out three, allowed two hits and walked a batter.
Glasnow had surgery on Aug. 4 of last year. He began bullpen sessions on July 23 and made four minor league rehab starts. Glasnow gave up Arias’ home run in the third.
Rain started falling heavily when the seventh inning began and the tarp was called for with the bases loaded and one out. Several bags of drying agent were used because of standing water on the infield before the game finally resumed.
The Guardians, who won the AL Central on Sunday, are 8-1 in their last nine.
Cleveland starter Triston McKenzie continued his September dominance, allowing one run and striking out six in six innings. The right-hander is 2-0 this month with a 2.14 ERA in five starts. He’s struck out 37 in 33 2/3 innings.
Árias’ homer landed in the left-field bleachers, but bounced back on the field. The ballboy retrieved the ball and threw it to left fielder Randy Arozarena, who tossed it to a fan in the bleachers.
The ball was eventually retrieved for Árias, one of 16 Cleveland players to debut in the majors this season.
Christian Bethancourt’s RBI single in the second gave Tampa Bay the lead.
THINKING ABOUT HOME
While the Rays are battling for a postseason spot, manager Kevin Cash admitted the team’s thoughts are on the impact Hurricane Ian is having on Florida.
“It’s been a challenge today,” he said. “We experienced it a couple of years ago. This time certainly feels like a more impactful storm, that’s covering our spring training area right now (Port Charlotte). There are a lot of families — not just Rays’ families but the entire Florida community that’s going through it right now.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Rays: Yandy Díaz (left shoulder) was scratched after being in the original starting lineup batting leadoff and playing first base. Diaz was used as a pinch-hitter Tuesday, his first appearance since Sept. 19.
Guardians: 2B Andrés Giménez returned after not playing Sunday and Tuesday.
UP NEXT
Rays: LHP Jeffrey Springs (9-4, 2.56 ERA) is 4-1 with 41 strikeouts over 37 innings in his last seven starts.
Guardians: RHP Cal Quantrill (14-5, 3.49 ERA) is 13-0 in 32 starts at Progressive Field. He is one win shy of matching Vic Raschi’s record for dominance in one ballpark. Raschi went 14-0 at Comiskey Park from 1947-55.
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