Guardians Edge Red Sox 3-2, Cut Magic Number to Two

Nathaniel Lowe's ninth-inning sacrifice fly lifted Cleveland past Boston on Tuesday, moving the Guardians within two of an AL playoff berth.

The Cleveland Guardians moved closer to an American League playoff spot on Tuesday, Sept. 22, defeating the Boston Red Sox 3-2 at Fenway Park. The win reduced Cleveland's magic number to clinch a postseason berth to two.

The game was decided in the top of the ninth. Chase DeLauter was hit by a pitch to begin the inning, then advanced to third on Jo Adell's single to right. Nathaniel Lowe followed with a sacrifice fly that brought home the go-ahead run.

Cade Smith closed it out with a scoreless bottom of the ninth for his 40th save of the season.

Cleveland built a 2-0 lead in the second inning. David Fry's RBI single scored Angel Martinez, who finished with three hits, and Fry later came home when Brayan Rocchio grounded into a double play. Boston answered with a run in the bottom of the second.

Guardians starter Parker Messick took a no-decision after five innings, allowing a run on five hits and a walk with five strikeouts. Boston tied the game in the eighth on pinch hitter Mickey Gasper's solo home run off Hunter Gaddis, his 10th of the season.

The teams play again Wednesday, Sept. 23, at Fenway Park, with Foster Griffin scheduled to start for Cleveland.