CLEVELAND — The Guardians commenced their 2024 postseason emphatically but faced a setback following a loss on Monday night. After securing Game 1 of the American League Division Series with a remarkable five-run first inning, the Guardians found themselves even in the series after Game 2, which was clinched by a ninth-inning three-run homer from the Tigers against Cleveland’s All-Star closer, Emmanuel Clase.
The match on Monday turned into a pitchers’ duel featuring Detroit’s Tarik Skubal, a top contender for the AL Cy Young Award, against Cleveland’s Matthew Boyd, along with a superb performance from the Guardians’ bullpen. However, a pivotal swing from Kerry Carpenter shifted the momentum in the ninth inning.
The Tigers triumphed in Game 2, winning 3-0 and evening the series at one game each.
In a stunning moment at Progressive Field, with two outs in the ninth, Kerry Carpenter hit a 423-foot three-run home run off Clase, marking a significant turning point in the game. This was the first instance in Clase’s career that he allowed a three-run homer, having permitted only five earned runs all season prior to this game.
Tigers mounted their ninth-inning rally against Clase, with singles from Jake Rogers and Trey Sweeney, placing runners on the corners before Carpenter’s decisive hit. Prior to that, Skubal had completed seven innings of scoreless baseball before handing the ball over to the bullpen, a decision that raised some eyebrows.
Throughout the game, Steven Kwan delivered a highlight-reel catch, preventing a potential run from scoring with a fully extended dive. Kwan’s effort was crucial for the Guardians as both teams battled through a tense and tightly matched game.
The score remained knotted until the later innings, with both pitchers displaying dominance. Boyd managed to navigate trouble through crucial moments, showcasing his valuable performance for the Guardians.
As the series now shifts back to a best-of-five format, both teams remain keen to secure their place in the postseason for the hopes of advancing further.