Guardians maintain 1-game AL Central lead, beat Royals 12-9 with help from 6 walks in 5-run 9th
Cleveland (84-76) and Chicago (83-77) are both assured at least wild card berths. Each team has two games left, and the White Sox hold the division tiebreaker.
Rookie Carter Jensen, who had a career-high five RBI, tied the score 7-7 in the eighth with his second homer of the game, a two-run shot off Hunter Gaddis (6-3). Jensen has 27 homers this season.
Nate Pearson (2-4) walked Nathaniel Lowe on four pitches starting the ninth and, after Travis Bazzana flied out, issued consecutive four-pitch walks to pinch-hitter Patrick Bailey and Brayan Rocchio.
Steven Kwan grounded to third baseman Maikel Garcia, who threw home for a forceout, and Ramírez forced in the go-ahead run with a five-pitch walk.
Nolan Hoffman relieved and walked DeLauter on five pitches and Halpin on four. Martínez’s double drove in two runs for a 12-7 lead, and Halpin was thrown out at the plate.
Salvador Perez hit his 21st homer in the bottom half, a two-run drive against Matt Festa.
Austin Hedges and David Fry homered for Cleveland.
Up Next
Guardians RHP Tanner Bibee (6-15, 4.35 ERA) and Royals RHP Michael Wacha (9-9, 3.33) start Saturday night. night.
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How can I watch Cleveland Guardians vs. Kansas City Royals?
- TV Channel: Guardians at Royals 2022 MLB Baseball, is broadcasted on MLB.TV.
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