CLEVELAND, Ohio (AP) – Pinch-hitter Jason Giambi belted a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give Cleveland a stunning 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, keeping the Indians up with the lead pack in the AL wild card race.
Giambi drove a 1-1 pitch from Addison Reed (5-4) into the lower deck in right field to save the Indians from a potentially devastating loss. Giambi’s shot bailed out controversial closer Chris Perez, who gave up two homers in the top of the ninth.
As he rounded third base, the 42-year-old Giambi slowed down before being engulfed by his teammates as the Indians celebrated their 13th straight win over Chicago.
Bryan Shaw (6-3) came in after Perez had nearly given away a game the Indians couldn’t afford to lose, since both Tampa Bay and Texas won. The Indians lead the Rangers by only one game in the wild card standings with five games to play.