J-Ram AGAIN! October heroics continue with clutch 2-run blast

CHICAGO -- José Ramírez is proving that any concerns about his ability to deliver in October were greatly exaggerated.

In fact, Ramírez appears to be rounding into peak form at the perfect time for the Guardians, in a way that could save Cleveland’s season.

One night after his epic performance in Game 3 of the American League Division Series, Ramírez was back at it again in Game 4. The 34-year-old belted a go-ahead two-run home run in the fifth inning off White Sox reliever Jordan Hicks to give Cleveland a 3-2 lead.

The two-run shot silenced a raucous Rate Field crowd as it sailed to right field before landing in the Guardians’ bullpen. A collection of Cleveland pitchers jumped up and down in pure excitement, likely emulating everyone watching back home in Northeast Ohio.

Though Chicago momentarily regained the lead during a two-run fifth, Ramírez added a run-scoring single during the Guardians’ six-run sixth inning that cemented a 9-5 win and sent the series back to Cleveland for a winner-take-all Game 5 on Saturday.

Ramírez finished 2-for-5 with three RBIs.

The 99.9 mph four-seam fastball from Hicks was the fastest pitch Ramírez has hit for a homer in his career. It was also tied for the fastest pitch a Cleveland player has hit for a home run in the postseason under pitch tracking (since 2008). Ramírez tied Brayan Rocchio, who hit a solo shot off Detroit’s Troy Melton in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series last season.

Ramírez has not been himself offensively this season following June left hamate surgery, but the past few days could more than make up for it as Cleveland looks to keep its season alive and force a Game 5 in this series.

The home run was Ramírez’s 43rd career postseason hit, tied with Jim Thome for third in Cleveland franchise history.