Cleveland Indians: Cesar Hernandez rips walk-off single off Josh Hader

Cesar Hernandez’s walk-off single off baseball’s best closer, Josh Hader, clinched a 4-3 Cleveland Indians victory over the Brewers.

The Cleveland Indians picked up their first walk-off win of the 2020 season in a 4-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday at Progressive Field.

The Brewers struck first blood in the top of the fourth as Daniel Vogelbach lined an RBI double off Aaron Civale to put Milwaukee on top 1-0.

In the bottom of the fifth, Cleveland took their first lead of the series. Cesar Hernandez tied the game with an RBI double and Jose Ramirez gave the Indians the lead with a two-run home run as the Tribe jumped out in front 3-1.

The big inning would knock Brewers ace, Brandon Woodruff, out of the game after he tossed 4.1 innings, allowed three runs, four hits, walked three and struck out seven.

Milwaukee cut the lead to one in the top of the sixth as Keston Hiura homered for the second straight night to make it a 3-2 ball-game.

Civale would finish his night after the sixth inning as he allowed two runs, five hits, three walks and struck out six in his eighth start of the season.

However, the Indians right-hander would not earn the win as in the top of the eighth, Brewers shortstop Orlando Arcia hit a solo home run off Nick Wittgren to tie the game at three.

With the score tied entering the bottom of the ninth, the Indians faced the daunting task of facing Brewers closer Josh Hader who had not allowed a hit the entire season. The Indians wasted no time changing that as Oscar Mercado hit a lead-off double which was followed by a walk-off single by Hernandez to clinch a 4-3 victory.

With the win, the Indians improved to 24-15 on the season and remain just half a game behind the Chicago White Sox for first place in the AL Central. Milwaukee fell to 18-20 with the loss but remain in the heat of the NL Wild Card race.

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On Deck: Sunday, the Indians and Brewers will meet in the rubber-match of their three-game set. Cy Young Award front runner Shane Bieber will be on the mound for the Indians. He has posted a perfect 7-0 record so far this season with an MLB leading 1.20 ERA and 84 strikeouts. Bieber will matchup with Brewers left-hander Brett Anderson. Anderson is 2-2 so far this season with a 4.18 ERA. First pitch from Progressive Field is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. EST.