MBL news: Oct. 3 -- Cleveland downs Toledo to claims AL East title
The Cleveland Juke Box Heroes became the final team to reach the postseason, defeating Toledo in a one-game playoff to claim the American League Division title.
Both Cleveland and Toledo finished the regular season 87-75.
The game, played at Toledo's Atlanta Fulton County Stadium (1974), was tied going into the top of the seventh inning when the Heroes took the lead for good.
Joe Silverstein drew a lead-off walk from Mud Hens reliever Josh Staufer.
A bunt by Joey Kirnan didn't go as planned, with Silverstein being thrown out at second.
Will Banfield, however, followed with a single to put runners at the corners.
Adam Reed the scored Kiernan with a deep fly ball to right.
Josh Paul, Mike Fagan and Dominic Pipkin kept Toledo from scoring over the final three innings.
Anton Alguezes (11-14) earned the win after allowing two runs on seven hits over the first six innings.
Cleveland advances to face Detroit in the American League championship series.
The Diesels (109-53) own the best record in the Midwest Baseball League.
It is the fourth overall division title for the Heroes, all of them coming since 2030.
Cleveland won the World Series in 2030 and lost in the Series in 2031.
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