CLEVELAND -- Its arrival has become an annual event in northeast Ohio, something you can count on with as much assurance as the forthcoming gray skies and the chilly air of winter.
Welcome to Rocctember, Cleveland.
Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio has made it an annual tradition to take his game up a few notches down the stretch, and he has fittingly earned the “Playoff Rocchio” moniker for his postseason heroics of recent vintage.
Friday, Rocchio was at it again. He hit a walk-off solo home run and a grand slam in his first career multihomer game to send the Guardians to a 7-6 win over the Tigers in Game 1 of a doubleheader at Progressive Field.
The walk-off blast capped off the Guardians’ comeback from a 6-0 deficit, which matches their 8-6 win over the Angels on Aug. 25 for their largest comeback win of the season.
Rocchio's homer outburst also came paired with a bit of history, as he became the first player in over 35 years to hit a walk-off blast after slugging a grand slam in the same game. Per Elias Sports Bureau, only five other players in MLB history have had such a performance:
- Jack Clark - July 31, 1991
- Otto Velez - May 4, 1980
- Minnie Miñoso - April 19, 1960
- Hank Greenberg - Aug. 19, 1938
- George Kelly - June 14, 1924
The Guardians entered Friday at .500 (70-70) and fresh off a disappointing series loss to another postseason hopeful, the Blue Jays. It’s no secret that at this point in the season, every game is important for Cleveland as it looks to secure its spot in the postseason.
Cleveland increased its lead for the American League’s third Wild Card spot to one game over the Blue Jays and Rangers (both of whom play Friday night). The Guardians also entered Game 2 of the twin bill 2 1/2 games behind the AL Central-leading White Sox.