José Ramírez Sets Guardians RBI Milestone as Cleveland Tops Rays 2-1 in Key Wild Card Battle

Sunday, September 7th, 2025

Cleveland Guardians Edge Out Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 in Key Wild-Card Clash

José Ramírez made history on Sunday, surpassing Jim Thome for sole possession of second place on Cleveland’s all-time RBI list. His pivotal triple in the sixth inning knotted the score, sparking the Guardians to a 2-1 comeback victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in a matchup with significant wild-card race implications.

Ramírez Moves Up Cleveland's RBI Leaderboard

Ramírez showcased his clutch abilities by lacing a game-tying triple off Rays reliever Garrett Cleavinger, notching his 938th RBI for the franchise. He now sits just behind Hall of Famer Earl Averill’s 1,084 RBIs in the Guardians’ record books.

Guardians Rally with Sixth-Inning Surge

The Guardians capitalized on their momentum in the sixth, with Gabriel Arias delivering an RBI single against Tampa Bay’s Kevin Kelly. That base hit drove in David Fry, who dove headfirst across the plate just ahead of right fielder Josh Lowe’s throw, putting Cleveland in front for good.

Cleavinger's Scoreless Streak Snapped

Garrett Cleavinger came into the sixth inning riding a 20-inning scoreless streak—then the longest active run in the major leagues—but saw it broken by the Guardians’ two-run outburst. It was the first run he had allowed since July 5.

Series Implications in the Wild-Card Race

With the win, Cleveland (72-70) claimed the final three games of the four-game series, leapfrogging Tampa Bay (71-72) in the wild-card standings. The Seattle Mariners currently occupy the third and final wild-card spot with a 75-68 record.

Parker Messick Impresses Near Home

Left-hander Parker Messick (2-0), making just his fourth big league start, delivered six strong innings while allowing only one run on eight hits. The 24-year-old struck out four and did not issue a walk in front of a friendly crowd, as he hails from Plant City, located less than 30 miles away.

Rays' Offense Highlights and Attendance

Rays rookie Carson Williams broke out of a slump with a solo home run in the fifth, ending an 0-for-12 skid. Despite the significance of the matchup, the game attracted 8,155 fans, marking the 16th time in 74 home games at the 10,046-capacity Steinbrenner Field that Tampa Bay did not reach a sellout.

Guardians Closer Secures the Win

Cade Smith delivered a dominant performance in the ninth inning for his 11th save in 16 opportunities, striking out the side to lock down the victory.

Key Moment of the Game

In the first inning, Brandon Lowe's two-out fly ball landed in deep right, but Junior Caminero, who started at first, failed to run hard and only advanced to second base. Caminero was then stranded after Christopher Morel flied out, squandering an early scoring opportunity for the Rays.

Key Stat from the Matchup

Rays starter Drew Rasmussen pitched five scoreless innings but was lifted after just 82 pitches, leaving without a decision after limiting the Guardians' offense early.

Up Next

The Guardians return home to open a series against the Kansas City Royals, with right-hander Slade Cecconi (5-6, 4.78 ERA) scheduled to face Ryan Bergert (2-1, 2.61 ERA). The Rays have yet to announce a starter for their upcoming series against the Chicago White Sox.

In summary

The Cleveland Guardians secured a 2-1 victory against the Tampa Bay Rays thanks to José Ramírez’s record-setting performance and timely sixth-inning offense. The result not only shifted the wild-card standings but also snapped a formidable scoreless streak by Rays reliever Garrett Cleavinger. Strong pitching performances and crucial defensive plays defined a game with playoff ramifications, setting the stage for an exciting stretch run in the AL wild-card chase.

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