Cleveland Guardians’ Steven Kwan hits an RBI infield single during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Cleveland Guardians pitcher Tanner Bibee throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Shane Baz throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Kwan drives in tiebreaking run with infield hit in 9th to lift Guardians past Rays 3-2
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Steven Kwan beat out a grounder to shortstop in the ninth inning to drive in the go-ahead run and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 on Saturday night.
Cleveland Guardians’ Steven Kwan hits an RBI infield single during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Steven Kwan beat out a grounder to shortstop in the ninth inning to drive in the go-ahead run and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 on Saturday night.
The Guardians won their second straight and clinched the season series against Tampa Bay. Cleveland also moved a game ahead of the Rays in the American League wild-card race and pulled 1 1/2 games behind Seattle, which holds the final playoff spot.
Hunter Gaddis (2-2) pitched a scoreless eighth to pick up the win and Cade Smith got the last three outs for his 10th save.
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Rays closer Pete Fairbanks (4-5) gave up a run in the ninth to take the loss.
Josh Lowe answered in the fifth with his 10th homer of the season — and third in his last eight games — to pull the Rays within one. Tristan Gray doubled in the sixth and scored the tying run on Yandy DÃaz’s fielder’s choice.
Tanner Bibee, who had surrendered four or more runs in eight straight starts, limited the Rays to two runs over 6 2/3 innings. He scattered six hits, walked three and struck out five.
Key moment
With the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh, Tampa Bay’s Jake Mangum tried to steal home but was tagged out to end the inning and preserve the tie.
Key stat
RamÃrez stole his 37th base of the season and 280th of his career, passing Omar Vizquel for second in Guardians franchise history. He trails only Kenny Lofton (452).
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