Cleveland Indians: 5 most memorable September moments since 2010

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 29: The Cleveland Indians celebrate following the game against the Minnesota Twins on September 29, 2013 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Indians defeated the Twins 5-1. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)

The 2013 Cleveland Indians were one of baseball’s best surprise stories. After a 68-94 2012 season, Cleveland turned things around under first-year manager Terry Francona.

Entering the regular season’s final game, the Indians were riding a nine-game winning streak but still needed a victory over the Minnesota Twins at Target Field to clinch a postseason berth and avoid a potential three-way tie with the Rays and Rangers for a playoff spot.

Cleveland wasted no-time to burry the Twins as in the top of the first, Nick Swisher belted a two-run home run and in the top of the sixth, the Indians scored three-runs to take a 5-0 lead.

On the mound, Ubaldo Jimenez shutdown the Twins tossing 6.1 innings that saw him allow just one run.

In the bottom of the ninth, Justin Masterson was able to lock down the victory as Cleveland clinched their first postseason berth since 2013.

While they’d go onto lose the AL Wildcard game to the Rays at Progressive Field, the 2013 run was one for the history books for Cleveland given their unlikely playoff odds and 10-game win streak to finish the season.

It would also be a sign of great things to come as Francona later led the Indians to the World Series for the first time since 1997 and three straight AL Central titles.

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