LOCAL WATCH Sept. 20, 2024: Manzardo helps Guardians clinch playoff berth

CLEVELAND (AP) — Andrés Giménez singled home José Ramírez from second base in the 10th inning as the Cleveland Guardians clinched a playoff berth in dramatic, fitting fashion, beating the Minnesota Twins 3-2 on Thursday.

With Ramírez on second as the automatic runner, Minnesota reliever Caleb Thielbar (2-4) struck out Josh Naylor and the Twins walked Lane Thomas intentionally to face Giménez, who had three hits.

Cleveland's second baseman then hit a 3-2 pitch into right to easily score Ramírez.

As the All-Star third baseman rounded third, Cleveland's dugout emptied onto the field in celebration as the Guardians posted their major league-leading 42nd comeback win and second straight in extra innings.

“That's us,” Giménez said. “That's the Cleveland Guardians.”

They're the second AL team to qualify for the postseason, following the New York Yankees, who locked up a spot Wednesday night.

Cleveland now has a chance to possibly end baseball's longest active World Series drought, dating to 1948, when the team was known as the Indians.

“The goal is to get in,” said first-year manager Stephen Vogt. “You get in, you have a chance.”

Rookie Kyle Manzardo, the former Lake City High and Washington State star, homered for the Guardians, who lowered the magic number to clinch the AL Central title to three.

The Twins, who are trying to hold on to a wild card, only got three hits and fell into a tie with Detroit for the final spot, two games ahead of Seattle.

Manzardo put the Guardians up 1-0 in the first with his fourth homer and second in three days. He finished with three hits, and since being recalled from Triple-A Columbus on Sept. 1, Manzardo is batting .357 (15 of 42) with four home runs and seven RBIs in 16 games.