TAMPA -- It has been a fruitful weekend in Tampa for José Ramírez in his continued march up Cleveland’s all-time franchise leaderboards.
With his RBI triple in the sixth inning of Sunday’s series finale against the Rays, Ramírez broke a tie with Hall of Famer Jim Thome for the second-most RBIs in Cleveland history (938), since RBIs became an official stat in 1920. Earl Averill (1,084) ranks first.
Ramírez’s triple off Garrett Cleavinger was a game-tying smash down the third-base line to drive home Angel Martínez. It helped launch the Guardians to a 2-1 win over the Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field, as Cleveland secured the four-game series and remained 2 1/2 games back of Seattle for the third American League Wild Card spot.
“Hosey is going to keep doing this, right?” manager Stephen Vogt said of Ramírez moving up the franchise leaderboards. “He’s going to keep doing this as long as he’s in Cleveland. He’s one of the best players on the planet. It’s just so much fun and a treat that we all get to watch him.”
Along those lines, the triple was the second bit of history Ramírez made this series.
In Saturday's 3-2 win, Ramírez broke a tie with Omar Vizquel for second in team history in stolen bases. The 32-year-old recorded his 280th career steal with a swipe of second in the fourth inning. He now only trails Kenny Lofton (452) in steals on the franchise leaderboard.
“Kenny Lofton was one of the best basestealers of his era,” Vogt said. “Hosey being a third baseman doing what he's doing is just as impressive to me. He knows when to go and he can steal a base.”
Ramírez was asked whether the RBI or steal milestone means more to him.
“I think both are really important,” Ramírez said through team interpreter Agustin Rivero. “Both are part of my game -- playing aggressive and trying to score in any way.”
Both exemplify the tremendous impact that Ramírez has had on the Guardians. In the case of his RBI total, he is trending toward becoming Cleveland’s all-time leader, and he could earn that title within the next two seasons.
As far as his stolen base tally goes, Ramírez is reaching unique territory in baseball history. In the Live Ball Era (since 1920), he only trails Chone Figgins in steals among primary third basemen (players with at least 50 percent of their career games at the position). Figgins had 341.
“Normally third basemen are guys with power. They maybe don’t have much movement on the bases. But remember, I'm a natural shortstop, second baseman,” said Ramírez, who made his first pro appearance at third in 2013, while in Double-A. “For me, that’s the place where I had the opportunity to show what I was able to be. It’s still special.”
When asked who he modeled his baserunning game after while coming up in Cleveland’s system, Ramírez pointed to José Reyes. The longtime Mets shortstop had 517 steals in 16 seasons.
“That was a player that I always admired [with] how aggressive he was, how much he liked to run as a part of his game,” Ramírez said. “It was always looking up to José Reyes. And not Austin Hedges.”
Ramírez said the last line with a smile.
The Guardians failed to score off Rays starter Drew Rasmussen on Sunday, but they made quick work of Cleavinger. The lefty threw Ramírez (who was hitting right-handed) a slider in off the plate, and he muscled it just inside the third-base line.
Ramírez represented the tying run, but he was thrown out at home on a Daniel Schneemann safety squeeze attempt. The Guardians took the lead for good on a Gabriel Arias RBI single moments later.
Those two runs backed lefty Parker Messick, a native of nearby Plant City, Fla., who was pitching in front of numerous family members and loved ones. He allowed one run over six innings.
The Guardians entered Sunday with a 6.2 percent chance to make the postseason, according to FanGraphs. They know at this stage in the season they must win and win a lot, and certainly win as many series as they can.
They were successful this weekend, and next up is a big four-game set at Progressive Field against the Royals, whom the Guardians trail in the Wild Card race.
“The games are always important, but even more now because we’re getting closer to the end, especially facing Kansas City,” Ramírez said. “Every game is really important at this time of year.”