Guardians: Andrés Giménez singled home José Ramírez from second base in the 10th inning as the Guardians clinched a playoff berth in dramatic, fitting fashion, beating the Twins 3-2 on Thursday in Cleveland. With Ramírez on second as the automatic runner, Twins reliever Caleb Thielbar (2-4) struck out Josh Naylor and the Twins walked Lane Thomas intentionally to face Giménez. The Guardians’ second baseman then hit a 3-2 pitch into right to easily score Ramírez. As the All-Star third baseman rounded third, the Guardians’ dugout emptied onto the field in celebration as the they posted their MLB-leading 42nd comeback win and second straight in extra innings. The Guardians are the second AL team to qualify for the postseason, following the Yankees, who locked up a spot Wednesday night. The Guardians now have a chance to possibly end baseball’s longest active World Series drought, dating to 1948 when the team was known as the Indians. The Twins threatened in the 10th, loading the bases with one out against Eli Morgan (3-0). But the right-hander got out of the jam by retiring Carlos Correa on a foul pop and Byron Buxton on a liner to right. The Guardians’ bullpen, which has carried the team all season, combined for 5 2/3 hitless innings. Rookie Kyle Manzardo homered for the Guardians, who lowered the magic number to clinch the AL Central title to three. The Twins, who are trying to hold on to a wild card, fell into a tie with the Tigers for the final spot. The Twins own the tiebreaker. It’s been an unexpected season for the Guardians, who went 76-86 last season while saying goodbye to beloved manager Terry Francona after 11 years. They figured to be competitive, not one of baseball’s best teams. But it’s all come together under first-year manager Stephen Vogt, who before spring training had never even filled out a lineup card. The Guardians took control of the division in mid-April, and the Guardians have had sole possession of first place for all but one day the last five months. And while All-Stars Ramírez, Josh Naylor, Steven Kwan and Emmanuel Clase led the way, it’s been contributions from youngsters up and down the roster that has kept the Guardians consistently among the league’s best teams. The Guardians overcame losing ace Shane Bieber in the first weeks of the season, and Vogt spent most of the season plugging holes in his rotation due to injuries and ineffectiveness.

Braves: Matt Olson hit two of his team’s six HRs, Chris Sale coasted to his career-high 18th win and the Braves beat the host Reds 15-3. The Braves pulled within 1 1/2 games of the Mets for the final NL wild-card spot. The Mets played the Phillies later Thursday, but the game ended too late for this edition. The 35-year-old Sale (18-3) leads the majors in wins, ERA (2.38) and strikeouts (225). He pitched five innings, allowing two runs and five hits with two walks and six Ks. It was the 18th consecutive game he allowed two runs or fewer.