Bazzana’s 3-run homer, Rocchio’s 2 RBIs lift Guardians past Orioles 9-5

Travis Bazzana delivered a three-run homer and the Cleveland Guardians edged past the Baltimore Orioles 9-5 in a Tuesday night game. Brayan Rocchio contributed two RBIs to the win. Cleveland secured the season series victory over the Orioles and now holds the final AL wild card spot. Jo Adell and Patrick Bailey each drove in a run before Bazzana's 11th home run of the season stretched Cleveland's lead to 5-0 in the second inning.

Petey Halpin added a one-run single in the third. Baltimore fought back, scoring five runs in the next two innings, but José Ramírez added the deciding run in the seventh with an RBI single. Tanner Bibee pitched 4 1/3 innings for Cleveland, giving up five runs on six hits. Tim Herrin (3-4) earned the win with 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Leody Taveras had his first hit since August 29, an RBI double, and scored on a fielding error by Cleveland's Nathaniel Lowe. Pete Alonso tied the game in the fifth with a two-run homer, but Baltimore could not advance. Brandon Young lasted 3 2/3 innings for the Orioles, allowing a season-high six earned runs. Gunnar Henderson was removed from the game in the eighth after fouling a ball off his shin.

Foster Griffin (15-3, 3.26 ERA) will start the final game of the series against Orioles RHP Shane Baz (5-15, 3-91).