Manzardo homers, Guardians clinch first-round bye in MLB playoffs
SUE OGROCKI/Associated Press Kyle Manzardo of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates as he runs the bases after a home run in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds in Cleveland on Tuesday.
From wire and local reports
CLEVELAND — Lane Thomas hit a two-run homer and drove in three, Kyle Manzardo homered, Josh Naylor had a pair of RBIs, and the AL Central champion Cleveland Guardians clinched a first-round bye in the postseason with a 6-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night.
Tanner Bibee (12-8) allowed one run on four hits over seven innings to win for the first time at home since July 19. The right-hander struck out seven in what could be his final outing until Game 1 of the ALDS.
Cleveland earned a five-day break between the end of the regular season and the start of the division series on Oct. 5 at Progressive Field.
"Getting these days off is going to give us a lot of rejuvenation, especially for a young team," Bibee said. "Now, we're going to be here at home for like two weeks in a row. It's going to be nice."
Thomas and Manzardo, the former Lake City High and Washington State star, both went deep against Carson Spiers (5-7) in a three-run first as the Guardians improved their AL-best home record to 49-28. They have the second-best overall mark in the AL, 1 1/2 games behind the New York Yankees.
It was Manzardo's fifth homer, all in his second stint with Cleveland, since being recalled Sept. 1.
Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said he will treat the next four games the same way as the first 158, but admitted, "We might give guys a day off."
"We've said from the beginning that we think we can play with anybody –- and these guys have proved it," the first-year skipper said. "It's incredible, so great for them. We couldn't be happier about this opportunity."
The Reds made their debut under interim manager Freddie Benavides, who was promoted Sunday after David Bell was fired. Benavides' only managerial experience was four years in the minors for Cincinnati, most recently in 2007 at Single-A Billings.
With the loss, Cincinnati was assured of finishing with a losing record for the eighth time in 10 seasons.
Hunter Gaddis and AL saves leader Emmanuel Clase, the former Spokane Indian, retired all six batters they faced to complete the four-hitter for the Guardians.