CLEVELAND — Jason Giambi’s two-run pinch homer against White Sox closer Addison Reed with two outs in the ninth inning Tuesday night set off a familar scene at Progressive Field, and one all too familiar to the White Sox.
The Indians won 5-4 after Dayan Viciedo and Alejandro De Aza homered in the top of the ninth against Indians closer Chris Perez to put the Sox in front 4-3. It only set the stage for Cleveland’s 11th walk-off win at home, including four against the Sox:
April 12, Nick Swisher RBI single in 9th for 1-0 victory.
July 29. Giambi pinch homer in ninth for 3-2 victory.
July 31, Carlos Santana homer in 10th for 6-5 victory.
Tuesday, Giambi again.
Reed (5-4, 3.84 ERA) suffered his eighth blown save.
“It’s easy to hit a hanging slider,” Reed said. “That’s exactly what I [threw]. He hit it out of the park.”
Asked if Reed is showing fatigue this last in the season, Ventura said, “I think everybody has that.
“They’re going to probably have the same thing. Everybody is playing on the same level as far as that is concerned. For them they can run on more adrenaline because of what they’re playing for.”
The Indians maintained their lead in the AL wild card race.
“At this point, the last week of the season, tough outs to get,” Ventura said. “That’s why you have to get 27.”
“This sucks,” Reed said. “We fought back and got us where we needed to be and I let them down.”
