FanPost

#TBT: Jason Giambi Blasts Two-Run Walk-Off Homer

2013 was a special season for the Cleveland Indians, filled with unexpected performances and late-season heroics. On Sept. 24, 2013, during a matchup against the Chicago White Sox, Jason Giambi pinch-hit for Matt Carson, and that made all the difference.

Down 4-3 with two outs and a 1-1 count in the bottom of the ninth, Giambi was Cleveland's final hope. Addison Reed reared back to deliver a slider, but he left it hanging; Giambi did the rest:

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That swing gave Cleveland the 5-4 victory and helped propel them onto the first ever A.L. Wild Card game with the new playoff format.

The game started off well for the Tribe as Michael Brantley delivered an RBI single to shallow center in the second inning, scoring Asdrubal Cabrera; however Chicago didn't take long to respond. Avisail Garcia tied the game up at 1-1 in the fourth with a sac fly to center field. Then in the seventh, Alejandro De Aza singled to left, bringing in Gordon Beckham and giving the White Sox the 2-1 lead.

However, Cleveland showed no signs of quitting as they answered back in the seventh with two runs of their own: a Brantley solo shot and Jason Kipnis RBI single.

But the game was far from over. Chris Perez blew his fifth save of the season as he allowed solo home runs to Dayan Viciedo and De Aza in the top of the ninth. Those two homers sucked the air Progressive Field and electrified the White Sox bench. It appeared Chicago was going to steal a game in Cleveland.

That's what makes Giambi so special and a key piece of the Cleveland Indians success over the past two seasons. Just when the Tribe felt like they were out of it, Giambi stepped up to the plate and led by example. His veteran presence and experience were an important part of the Tribe's run in 2013 to the postseason.

So here's to you, Mr. Giambi. Thanks for the memories.

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