Australian young gun Travis Bazzana has hit a three-run home run to help Cleveland secure a victory in their push for Major League Baseball's post-season.
The 9-5 win on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST) over Baltimore left the Guardians two games behind the Chicago White Sox in the American League Central standings.
A 74-72 record means Cleveland also currently hold the third AL wild card less than a month out from the post-season, one game ahead of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Bazzana, the first Aussie No.1 draft pick in the major leagues, made his Guardians debut earlier this season and played in the MLB All-Star game.
The infielder had been struggling for form through August, but hit a home run and the game-winning single earlier this week in a win over the Detroit Tigers.
"I feel like every pitch you see, you add it to your Rolodex," Bazzana said.
"It helps you track the next pitch. You feel like you’ve got your timing with all the pitches. You’ve seen the tunnel they come out of."
Bazzana has started in only three of Cleveland's last six games, also coming off the bench in another.
But over those four appearances the second baseman has racked up two homers, two doubles, three singles and eight RBIs - or runs batting in - all in Guardians wins.
On Tuesday at Camden Yards, his three-run blast in the second inning with two outs shot the visitors to a 5-0 lead. It was the 11th homer of the season for the 24-year-old from Turramurra in Sydney.
"Huge, huge team win all around tonight," Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said.
"There’s going to be great stretches. There’s going to be some not-so-great stretches. But he’s (Bazzana) remained the same throughout. I really liked the way he’s attacking his plate appearances right now."
The Orioles fought back with four runs in the fifth to trail 6-5, before Cleveland scored three in the seventh to secure the win.
Starting Guardians pitcher Tanner Bibee gave up five runs in 4 1/3 innings. Four relievers worked behind him without giving up any more runs and Tim Herrin was credited with the win.
In 3 2/3 innings, Baltimore starter Brandon Young surrendered six runs on eight hits, including Bazzana's homer, and two walks.
Cleveland will end their three-game series in Baltimore on Thursday (AEST). While the Guardians are in the hunt for a post-season berth, the Orioles have lost seven of their last eight and are last in the powerful AL East.
