In a nail-biting showdown, Steven Kwan emerged as the hero with a crucial RBI double in the 10th inning, propelling the Cleveland Guardians to a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Houston Astros on Wednesday.
Kwan’s heroics were on full display as he went 3-for-5 at the plate, driving in a pair of pivotal runs. His decisive hit came after a leadoff walk from Brayan Rocchio, with Kwan’s double to left field off Astros reliever Shawn Dubin (0-1) bringing pinch-runner Gabrial Arias home to break the deadlock. Rocchio, who contributed with 1-for-2 hitting, two walks, and a run scored, played a key role in setting up the game-winning play.
The Guardians’ closer, Emmanuel Clase, sealed the deal with his ninth save, needing just five pitches to retire the Astros in the bottom of the 10th. Clase started strong by striking out Joey Loperfido before wrapping up the game with a game-ending double play. Mauricio Dubon’s fly ball to left was caught by Kwan, who swiftly doubled off Astros catcher Victor Caratini at second base, ending the Astros’ hopes of a comeback.
The matchup between Justin Verlander and Triston McKenzie showcased a pitching duel, with both starters delivering quality performances and setting the stage for a battle of the bullpens. Verlander displayed his prowess despite facing challenges, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks over seven innings, while McKenzie impressed with six strikeouts over the same duration, utilizing his devastating curveball to keep the Astros’ hitters at bay.
The Guardians took an early lead when Will Brennan launched a 377-foot home run to right-center in the fifth inning, followed by Kwan’s triple that doubled the margin in the same inning. However, the Astros clawed back, with Jose Altuve driving in Dubon in the sixth and Kyle Tucker unleashing a 422-foot blast in the seventh to tie the game at 2-2.
Despite the Astros’ efforts, Kwan’s timely hit in extra innings proved decisive, securing a hard-earned victory for the Guardians and highlighting their resilience in clutch moments.
