Guardians punch playoff ticket

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - The Guardians are headed back to the playoffs for the third straight season.

In a game they had to win to stay in first place in the Central Division, they turned back the Red Sox 1-0, making an Angel Martinez 2nd inning solo homer hold up the rest of the night. Chicago won earlier in the day in Kansas City and would’ve taken over first place via the tie-breaker if Boston had won.

Daniel Espino opened, Joey Cantillo threw well and Cade Smith slammed the door in the 9th to secure what will be the franchise’s fourth playoff appearance in the last five years.

The Boston series was tight the entire time. Cleveland won Tuesday night 3-2, the Red Sox won on Wednesday 1-0, the Guardians returned the favor on Thursday night. It was the first time in 20 years there were back to back 1-0 games at Fenway.