Bazzana's Walk-Off Homer Caps Cleveland's Three-Run Comeback Over Pittsburgh

Cleveland trailed Pittsburgh 3-0 heading into the eighth inning at home, and the Guardians' win probability had bottomed out at 7.2% in the bottom of the seventh. What looked like a comfortable Pirates victory turned into something else entirely over the final two frames.

Pittsburgh had built the lead methodically. Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe drove in Ryan O'Hearn on a sacrifice fly to right in the top of the second. In the top of the third, Pirates outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez doubled to right, scoring Nick Gonzales and pushing the lead to two. Then in the top of the fourth, Jake Mangum singled — a play Cleveland challenged on a tag — and Brandon Lowe crossed the plate, extending Pittsburgh's advantage to three.

The Guardians stayed quiet through the seventh, but the eighth inning changed everything.

Cleveland designated hitter Chase DeLauter singled to right on a ground ball, scoring Steven Kwan to put the Guardians on the board at 3-1. Two batters later, Cleveland right fielder Kahlil Watson lined a single to right, scoring DeLauter and pulling Cleveland even at 3-3. Pittsburgh had held a three-run lead entering the inning; it was gone.

The game moved to the bottom of the ninth still tied. Cleveland second baseman Travis Bazzana settled it. Bazzana drove a fly ball to center field for his eighth home run of the season, a two-run shot that also scored Steven Kwan. The Guardians walked it off, 5-3.