The Cleveland Guardians had a fantastic close to the regular season, chasing down the Detroit Tigers to claim the American League Central crown. And, to quote my man Anthony Schlegel, and also with a tip of the cap to Meek Mill and Rick Ross – “poof, David Copperfield” – it could all be over on Wednesday.
Tarik Skubal struck out 14 Guards in 7 2/3 innings and allowed just three hits – two of which were of the infield variety – and permitted a single run as the Tigers took the opener of the best-of-three, 2-1 in Cleveland. He fired 107 pitches and his average fastball speed was 99-plus mph.
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Detroit took an early 1-0 lead in the opening frame when Spencer Torkelson scored Kerry Carpenter from second. The run was unearned, as Carpenter found his way on second after hitting a single and an error by Guardians’ right fielder Johnathan Rodriguez.
Cleveland’s only run happened without the ball leaving the infield in the fourth inning. Angel Martinez singled and went to second on a walk to Jose Ramirez with no one out. Rodrigiuez and Kyle Manzardo struck out, but a high chopper by Gabriel Arias went over the head of Skubal, and Martinez barely beat the throw home.
In the top of the seventh, Detroit scored what proved to be the winning run when a bunt by Zach McKinstry scored Riley Greene from third.
In the bottom of the ninth, it looked as though the Guardians were certain to tie the game or perhaps win it. Ramirez singled to lead off the inning and wound up on third after a throwing error by Javier Baez. But Georga Valera struck out, Manzardo grounded back to the pitcher Will Vest, who tagged out Ramirez in a rundown, and CJ Kayfus popped out to shallow left field to end the game.
Game 2 is Wednesday at 1 pm ET with Casey Mize (14-6 3.87 ERA) on the mound for Detroit, while Tanner Bibee (2-11, 4.24 ERA) starts for the home Guardians.
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