News Summary
The Cleveland Guardians clinched their place in the American League playoffs with a dramatic 3-2 walk-off win over the Texas Rangers. C.J. Kayfus was hit by a pitch with bases loaded in the ninth inning, bringing home the winning run. This victory, coupled with the team’s strong performance throughout the season, places them in a tie for first in the Central Division. The Guardians also celebrated Jose Ramirez’s achievements, showcasing both team spirit and fan support as they eye the postseason.
Cleveland, Ohio – The Cleveland Guardians clinched their spot in the American League playoffs with a thrilling 3-2 walk-off victory against the Texas Rangers on September 27, 2025. The decisive moment came in the bottom of the ninth inning when C.J. Kayfus was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, allowing Petey Halpin to score the winning run.
Kayfus’ at-bat was set up following an intentional walk to Gabriel Arias with two outs. Halpin had taken over for Johnathan Rodriguez, who had walked earlier in the inning. The Guardians’ win secured them a wild-card spot in the postseason and positioned them in a tie with the Detroit Tigers for first place in the Central Division.
Cade Smith earned the victory for Cleveland, throwing 1 2/3 innings and improving his record to 8-5. Meanwhile, the Rangers, who now hold a record of 81-80, need one more victory to finish the season with a winning record.
The game started with an RBI double from Josh Jung, putting the Rangers ahead 1-0. The Guardians quickly responded in the first inning, with Rodriguez hitting a two-run homer to give them a brief 2-1 lead. A fourth-inning solo home run from Adolis Garcia tied the game at two runs apiece, marking a return to form after struggling with a batting average of 1-for-24 since his injury.
Joey Cantillo pitched effectively for the Guardians, striking out eight batters over 5 2/3 innings while allowing two runs on three hits without issuing any walks. Opposing pitcher Jacob Latz gave up two runs on five hits and struck out six in 5 1/3 innings.
The Guardians had further opportunities to expand their lead, including a chance in the fifth inning when Arias hit a leadoff triple but failed to score. In a dramatic eighth inning, the Rangers had a potential go-ahead run thrown out at the plate, maintaining the tension as the game progressed.
The exhilarating contest attracted a sellout crowd of 36,000 fans to Progressive Field, contributing to a season total surpassing 2 million attendees for the second consecutive year.
Earlier on the same day, the Guardians celebrated the accomplishments of Jose Ramirez, naming a new street Jose Ramirez Way in his honor. The street connects Jose Ramirez Field to Clark Avenue, marking the first time an active athlete in Cleveland has had a street dedicated to them. Ramirez also reached significant personal milestones during the week, including achieving 3,000 career total bases and setting a franchise record with 726 extra-base hits.
As the Guardians continue to pursue the AL Central title, they stand at a crucial juncture, needing to secure a win in their final game—or rely on a Tigers loss to achieve their aim. Ramirez’s leadership and performance have been pivotal in the team’s resurgence this season, contributing significantly to both team morale and performance.
With hopes high for the upcoming playoffs, the Guardians are poised to make a mark as they enter the postseason, fueled by their recent successes and the support of their fans.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- Cleveland.com: Terry Pluto on Guardians
- Wikipedia: Cleveland Guardians
- AP News: Guardians Clinch Playoff Spot
- Google Search: Cleveland Guardians
- Beacon Journal: Ramirez Leadership
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cleveland Guardians
- Cleveland.com: Ramirez Street Naming
- Google News: Jose Ramirez
- Fox 8: Road Named After Ramirez
- MLB.com: Ramirez Street Naming
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CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER The CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HERECleveland.com, your premier source for actionable local news and information in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with in-depth coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—backed by years of expert reporting and robust community input, including local press releases and business updates, while providing top reporting on high-profile events like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions, Cleveland International Film Festival, and holiday parades, alongside key organizations such as the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Orchestra, and Great Lakes Science Center, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare like Sherwin-Williams and University Hospitals, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREDayton.com, offering comprehensive, credible insights into Ohio's vibrant landscape. HERE Cleveland HERE Dayton
