Oscar Gonzalez's 15th-inning stroll-off HR sends Guardians to ALDS in opposition to Yankees

Elite pitching in addition average offense equals pitchers' duel, and that was/has been the name of the game in the Tampa Bay Rays-Cleveland Guardians wild-card collection.

And in both equally online games, one property operate was all it took.

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Oscar Gonzalez of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates with teammates soon after hitting a stroll-off residence operate in the 15th inning from the Tampa Bay Rays in the next game of the wild-card collection at Progressive Discipline on Oct. 8, 2022, in Cleveland. (Patrick Smith/Getty Pictures)

Jose Ramirez's two-run home run proved to be the video game-winner in Match 1. On Saturday, Oscar Gonzalez hit a stroll-off residence run in the 15th to give the Guardians a 1- win in the finest-of-three collection and a vacation to the American League Division Collection in opposition to the New York Yankees.

There were 4 runs scored all series — all by way of the dwelling operate. In Saturday's 15-inning affair, there ended up just 11 hits.

With the successful operate at initial in the 13th, the Rays brought in former Cleveland ace Corey Kluber, who was an option to start Match 3. Kluber won two Cy Youthful Awards with Cleveland, and the admirers enjoy him now perhaps additional than ever as he served up the wander-off.

Oscar Gonzalez of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates after hitting a walk-off house run to close the activity in the 15th inning from the Tampa Bay Rays in the second activity of the wild-card collection at Progressive Area on Oct. 8, 2022, in Cleveland. (Patrick Smith/Getty Visuals)

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Through five innings, equally teams blended for just 1 at-bat with a runner in scoring position. The Guardians loaded the bases with no outs for the game's initially real menace of the video game. Even so, Ramirez struck out, and Josh Naylor grounded into a double perform.

Right after 9 innings, just a single human being had achieved third foundation all activity. The Rays had the lead run on 3rd foundation in each the 10th, 12th and 15th innings but have been not able to get the huge hit. In the 12th, Ramirez built a Gold Glove-variety participate in to save a run and rob Manuel Margot of an infield RBI single. The Rays challenged that Naylor came off the foundation in the extend, but the ruling stood.

Triston McKenzie was lights out, putting out 8 and going for walks two in his six scoreless, two-hit frames for Cleveland. Tyler Glasnow was hardly any distinctive for Tampa Bay. In just his third commence given that returning from Tommy John surgical procedures, he tossed five scoreless innings and struck out five when permitting just two hits and no walks.

Guardians relievers blended for 9. scoreless innings, making it possible for just 4 hits and a few walks though placing out a dozen. They now will have two comprehensive days off, thoroughly rested for Video game 1 on Tuesday.

Oscar Gonzalez of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates right after hitting a stroll-off residence operate to end the activity in the 15th inning towards the Tampa Bay Rays in the second game of the wild-card collection at Progressive Subject on Oct. 8, 2022, in Cleveland. (Patrick Smith/Getty Photographs)

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The Guardians will head to the Bronx for Video games 1 and 2 (Thursday). Activity 3 will be in Cleveland on Saturday. Video games 4 and 5, if required, will be Sunday at Progressive Subject and Monday at Yankee Stadium, respectively.