Bazzana Hits 2-run Homer In 9th To Rally Guardians Over Pirates

CLEVELAND (AP) — Rookie All-Star Travis Bazzana hit a two-run homer to center field in the ninth inning for his first career walk-off hit and the Cleveland Guardians rallied for a 5-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates to split in a doubleheader. Patrick Bailey led off the ninth with a single to right field, Steven Kwan followed with a double down the left-field line. Bailey tried to score from first but as tagged out at home by Pittsburgh catcher Rafael Flores Jr. after the relay throw by third baseman Nick Gonzales. Bazzana — the top overall pick in the 2024 amateur draft — then connected on a 1-0 changeup by Pittsburgh’s Dennis Santana and drove it 414 feet for his eighth homer of the season and give Cleveland its fourth walk off win of the season.