The Detroit Tigers are nine defensive outs away from advancing to the American League Championship Series, but the Cleveland Guardians are fed up with their AL Central division rival's incredible run. .
After winning Game 4 of the series 5-4, the Guardians forced a Game 5 in the ALDS on Thursday night.
Cleveland came out early and led by one run in the first inning, but Detroit tied it in the next inning on a sac fly. Jose Ramirez's home run gave the Guardians the lead in the fifth inning, but Zach McKinstry countered with a solo shot in the bottom of the inning.
Then, in the sixth inning, Wencel Perez scored a run with a two-out single, giving Detroit a 3-2 lead and sending the crowd into a frenzy.
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Cleveland Guardians first baseman David Frye, 6, after hitting a two-run home run in the seventh inning against the Detroit Tigers in Game 4 of the ALDS of the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Comerica Park. , celebrating with third baseman Jose Ramirez (11 years old). (Rick Osentosky-Imagen Images)
Cleveland fought back with a big hit, with pinch hitter David Frey hitting a two-out, two-run home run from the count 2-2, giving the Guardians a 4-3 lead and silencing the same noisy ballpark. This got Cleveland into the gold zone, just like in the regular season when they led 71-2 after the sixth inning, thanks to the elite back end of the bullpen.
After the Tigers had runners on first and second base with one out in the eighth inning, manager Stephen Vogt hit closer Emmanuel Clase earlier than expected. After grounding out past both runners, he struck out Trey Sweeney to save the day.
In the top of the 9th inning, with runners on the corners and one out, the Guardians were hoping for some insurance, but they got it on Frye's own self-destructive squeeze, allowing Steven Kwan to score and give Clase a comfortable two runs. gave the lead.
Cleveland Guardians first baseman David Frye, 6, hits a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning against the Detroit Tigers during Game 4 of the ALDS of the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Comerica Park. After that, I'm happy. (Rick Osentosky-Imagen Images)
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However, Clase allowed a leadoff double and allowed the tying run. The leadoff man eventually scored, showing how important insurance is. Thankfully for Cleveland, no further damage was done and Clase finally got the five outs he needed before relinquishing the lead.
The Guardians faced elimination, having lost their previous 11 games. Their last victory under such circumstances was Game 6 of the 1997 World Series…a walk-off loss to the Florida Marlins the next night.
Kwan had three hits, pushing his average to .500 for the series.
Cleveland Guardians first baseman David Frye, 6, hits a two-run home run in the seventh inning against the Detroit Tigers during Game 4 of the ALDS of the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Comerica Park. Celebrate in the dugout. (Rick Osentosky-Imagen Images)
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Granted, Detroit was hoping to keep Cy Young Award candidate Tarik Skubal for Game 1 of the ALCS, but he'll probably fill in for Cleveland against the Tigers. The Guardians' starter is also undecided, but it seems certain that it will be Matthew Boyd, who will receive regular rest.
That game will be played on Saturday, but the time will be determined based on the outcome of Thursday's Yankees-Royals game.
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