On a balmy August night at Progressive Field, the Cleveland Guardians delivered yet another chapter in their stirring playoff pursuit, edging the Miami Marlins 4-3 in a contest that had fans on the edge of their seats until the very last pitch. The hero of the evening? None other than Jose Ramirez, who not only powered the Guardians to victory with two solo home runs—including the go-ahead blast in the eighth—but also etched his name atop the franchise record books for multi-homer games.
Ramirez, already a seven-time All-Star and a staple in the Guardians' lineup, entered the night tied with Cleveland legends Albert Belle and Jim Thome at 26 multi-homer games apiece. But as the crowd buzzed with anticipation, Ramirez broke the deadlock in emphatic fashion. His first shot came in the opening frame, a solo homer to right off Marlins starter Janson Junk. Not to be outdone, Kyle Manzardo followed just a few pitches later with a solo blast of his own, giving the Guardians an early 2-0 cushion and sending waves of excitement through the stands.
"Jose Ramirez just drilled a solo home run to right field that gives the Guardians a 4-3 lead heading to the ninth inning. That is Ramirez's 27th multi-homer game, breaking the franchise record that was previously held by Albert Belle and Jim Thome, with 26 each," reported local coverage, capturing the moment's significance for both player and franchise.
The early fireworks didn't stop there. In the second inning, Gabriel Arias ripped a double down the left-field line, and Brayan Rocchio promptly drove him home with a sharp single to right, making it 3-0. The bottom of the Guardians lineup, often overshadowed by the star power at the top, showed their mettle and set the tone for what looked like a runaway night for Cleveland.
But baseball, as always, had other plans. Logan Allen, the Guardians' left-handed starter, cruised through the first four innings, allowing just two hits and striking out five. Yet, the fifth inning proved treacherous. After a leadoff hit-by-pitch and a pair of outs, Allen walked a batter, then Dane Myers singled to left to bring home Miami's first run. Otto Lopez, hustling on the basepaths, slid into third ahead of Steven Kwan's throw, which skipped past Ramirez and rolled to the backstop, allowing another run to score. Rookie Heriberto Hernandez capped the rally with a double, knotting the game at 3-3 and shifting the momentum squarely in Miami's favor.
Allen's final line—five innings, four hits, three runs (two earned), four walks, and five strikeouts—didn't quite tell the story of his dominance early and the Marlins' persistence late. Relief duties fell to Nic Enright, who worked out of a jam in the sixth, and Hunter Gaddis, who retired the Marlins in order in the seventh. Erik Sabrowski and Cade Smith handled the eighth, with Smith striking out the only batter he faced to end the frame.
Defense, too, played a starring role. Steven Kwan, already recognized as one of the game's premier outfielders, notched his 11th outfield assist of the season—leading all of Major League Baseball—when he gunned down Eric Wagaman at the plate. Bo Naylor applied the tag, and the Guardians' faithful erupted once more, the tension of a tied game momentarily forgotten. "Kwan's 11th outfield assist...leads the majors this season," noted commentators, underscoring the Gold Glover's impact beyond the batter's box.
With the game hanging in the balance, Ramirez stepped to the plate in the bottom of the eighth. Facing Marlins co-closer Calvin Faucher, he launched a towering drive to right field, his second homer of the night and 25th of the season. As the ball cleared the fence, the stadium erupted. Ramirez had not only put his team ahead, but also set a new franchise standard with his 27th multi-homer game. "Ramirez finished 3-for-4, leading the Guardians to their 10th win in 12 games since July 29," reported Field Level Media, highlighting both his personal achievement and the team's recent surge.
Cade Smith, who has emerged as a reliable arm in the late innings, returned to the mound in the ninth. He needed just three batters to seal the deal, retiring the side in order and earning his fifth win of the season. The Guardians improved to 62-56, staying just 6.5 games behind the division-leading Detroit Tigers and a single game back of the New York Yankees for the final American League wild card spot. Every game counts now, and with the Guardians riding a hot streak—10 wins in their last 12—they're making their case as one of baseball's most dangerous late-summer teams.
"The Guardians have cut a 15.5-game deficit in the American League Central down to 6.5 games in their bid to chase down the Detroit Tigers. They also entered Aug. 12 only one game behind the New York Yankees for the last wild card spot," local sources emphasized. The sense of urgency is palpable, and the team’s recent form has only fueled optimism in Cleveland.
Manager Stephen Vogt, who has deftly juggled a young roster and a demanding schedule, watched as his squad opened a crucial six-game homestand against the Marlins and Atlanta Braves. The Guardians’ schedule doesn’t get any easier, with a six-game road trip looming against the Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers. But with Ramirez swinging a hot bat and the supporting cast stepping up, Cleveland fans have reason to believe.
Kyle Manzardo, who has quietly emerged as a force in the heart of the lineup, connected for his 21st home run of the season—his fifth in the last 16 games, to go with 13 RBIs over that span. "Manzardo has been a much productive hitter over the last few weeks while occupying the No. 4 spot in the lineup," noted analysts, pointing to his timely contributions as a key factor in the Guardians' resurgence.
On the Marlins' side, starter Janson Junk battled through five innings, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out two and walking none. Calvin Faucher took the loss, surrendering the decisive run in the eighth. Miami, now 2-7 since reaching the .500 mark, found some solace in the resilience shown during their fifth-inning rally but ultimately fell short against a surging Cleveland squad.
As the Guardians look ahead to the rest of their homestand and an increasingly tight playoff race, all eyes remain on Ramirez. His record-breaking night, clutch performance, and steady leadership have galvanized a team and a city hungry for October baseball. The chase continues, and with every swing, the Guardians inch closer to their postseason dreams.
With the win secured and history made, Cleveland’s faithful left Progressive Field with renewed hope. After all, when Jose Ramirez is swinging the bat like this, anything feels possible for the Guardians.
