Ramírez Reaches 1,000 RBIs as Guardians Top A’s

José Ramírez hit a sixth-inning solo home run for his 1,000th career RBI as the Cleveland Guardians rallied past the Athletics 5-3 on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. The homer was his 12th of the season and made him only the second player in franchise history to reach the mark, after Earl Averill's 1,084. Fans at Progressive Field chanted Ho-sey and the scoreboard ran with an ovation. Cleveland trailed 3-0 after Zack Gelof's three-run homer. The Guardians tied it in the fourth on Rocchio's two-run double and Ramírez's RBI single, then took the lead on Travis Bazzana's 411-foot solo homer in the fifth. Joey Cantillo tossed six scoreless relief innings and Cade Smith earned his 38th save. Manager Stephen Vogt said the 1,000 RBIs break down like 10 years of 100 and called the feat incredible. Ramírez thanked God through translator Augie Rivero and said the win was most important. Teammate Bazzana said Ramírez plays harder than anyone and his effort has not tapered off. CONTESTED: CBS Sports reported the Guardians moved one game ahead of the Chicago White Sox after Chicago lost 11-8 to Detroit. Associated Press accounts said Cleveland remained tied atop the AL Central; the White Sox hold the head-to-head tiebreaker. Cleveland is 18-9 since Aug. 20.