CLEVELAND — It was expected that All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez would step up when the Cleveland Guardians needed him to after Tampa Bay grabbed a 1-0 lead in Game 1 of their AL Wild Card Series on Friday. He's been doing that all year.
After the Guardians' 2-1 victory, winning pitcher Shane Bieber remarked, "He's inevitable." "That was a big deal to do it straight immediately. Any pitcher will tell you that, I am certain of it."
Soon after Jose Siri gave the Rays the lead in the top of the sixth inning, Ramirez blasted an 88 mph changeup for a two-run home run. The response was successful.
Ramirez remarked through the team interpreter, "Yeah, that [responding] passed through my thoughts, but we have a pretty talented team, so I felt we were capable of coming back. "When it came off the bat I felt it was a home run, but with this weather you never know, and when I saw the center fielder attempting to get to the wall, I was kind of concerned and I sort of sped up a little bit my speed [on the bases]," said the runner.
Ramirez, who is a fan favorite, blasted right-handed starter Shane McClanahan far to the opposite field as the home fans shouted in support. The Guardians' finest player blasted 29 home runs during the regular season, but his manager is most thrilled when he isn't attempting to hit them.
According to Terry Francona, "I know he was [sitting] on 29 [during the regular season] and everyone was wanting it — and I understand why they want him to reach 30." "But he made the double in a different direction. He made a lot of hits that penetrated the ball. Simply because he is an extremely excellent hitter, balls will go out."
After putting Ramirez out on changeups his first two times at the plate, McClanahan left the pitch up.
Just be on the lookout for that changeup, he continued, "that was my strategy." "He used the same pitch twice and got me. because the pitch is excellent. It resembles a fastball in appearance. I was able to make decent contact on that pitch even though I was just sitting on it and trying not to do too much. I simply put the ball on the other side of the field."
The home run supported Bieber's outstanding performance, which spanned 72/3 innings and saw him allow just three hits while striking out eight. Although he wouldn't declare it to be his finest performance of the year, it would be difficult to find one better given the stakes. With a victory on Saturday, the Guardians can take the best-of-three series.
According to Bieber, the audience provided him the necessary adrenaline.
He remarked, "It was simply a lot of fun out there. "I was aware that many people were rooting for us and hoping we would emerge victorious from that situation. Therefore, that is why we do it and we won't take it for granted."
On a chilly and overcast day in Cleveland, the game only lasted two hours and 17 minutes. The game was decided by home runs, which were hit by two underdog teams.
Francona yelled, "Two home runs, theirs and ours." If both pitchers were [good], I mean, their guy was very terrific, we could still be in the game.
Click here for more trending news
You can also follow us on our Twitter page
You can also follow us on our Tumblr page
You can also follow us on our Pinterest page