Guardians defeat Tigers on walk-off hit in extra innings to prevail in AL Central series
Nate Ulrich
CLEVELAND — The Guardians claimed an AL Central series victory over the Detroit Tigers in dramatic fashion.
The division-leading Guardians (24-13) have now won nine of their 12 series so far this season. They defeated the Tigers by a run on Monday night and then lost by four to Detroit on Tuesday night.
The two teams met Wednesday afternoon for a rubber match at Progressive Field, and the Guardians prevailed 5-4 in extra innings. Brayan Rocchio hit a walk-off single to center field off Tigers reliever Alex Lange, driving in Ramon Laureano for the winning run in the 10th inning. The automatic runner, Laureano scored from third base, where he advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Tyler Freeman. Lange (0-2) took the loss, and Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase (2-1) earned the win.
It was Rocchio's first walk off of his career and Cleveland's third this season (the first since April 14 against the New York Yankees).
"It's a super incredible feeling," Rocchio said through a team translator. "I've working for so long to get these type of moments, and it feels really nice when you finally get here."
The Guardians are 5-2 in rubber matches this season, including 4-0 at home. They are also 6-2 against AL Central opponents. This was their first series of the season against the Tigers (19-18). As part of a scheduling quirk, the remainder of the 2024 regular-season games between the Guardians and Tigers are all set for July. There are 10 more of those matchups.
First pitch for the Guardians-Tigers series finale occurred at 1:11 p.m. Wednesday. Here are our updates as they unfolded throughout the game.
Guardians tie score 4-4 in the bottom of the ninth inning with a David Fry solo home run
With one out and facing an 0-1 count, David Fry hit a solo home run to right field off Tigers reliever Andrew Chafin to tie the score 4-4 in the ninth inning.
Fry's homer traveled 334 feet and had an exit velocity of 96.8 mph, according to Baseball Savant.
The game went into extra innings.
Guardians cut deficit to 4-3 in the bottom of the eighth inning
Rocchio led off the eighth inning with a single off Joey Wentz, and then things got weird. Rocchio stole second base as Estevan Florial struck out. Catcher Jake Rogers tried to throw out Rocchio, but the ball sailed into center field, allowing Rocchio to advance to third base on a throwing error.
Then Andres Gimenez drove in Rocchio on a grounder off the knob of his bat. Gimenez thought he beat the throw to first base, and the Guardians challenged after he was called out. The call was confirmed after a replay review.
Jose Ramirez then lined out to right field to end the inning. The Guardians trailed by a run.
Highly touted Guardians prospect Kyle Manzardo records first MLB hit
Kyle Manzardo got the first one out of the way.
After serving as the designated hitter the previous two days and going 0 for 7 with five strikeouts to begin his MLB career, Manzardo recorded his first single with the Guardians when he pinch hit for Gabriel Arias in the seventh inning.
"It's a big weight off the shoulders, obviously," Manzardo said. "Now I feel like I can just go play."
The No. 2 prospect in the Cleveland organization, according to MLB Pipeline, Manzardo hit a two-out single to left field off Jason Foley. Unfortunately for the Guardians, Freeman then flew out to end the inning with Cleveland behind 4-2.
The moment provided a lift, though.
"When Manzo got his first hit, it sparked a little energy, and then for the rest of the game, we were pretty fired up," Fry said.
Guardians had just one hit through six innings against Tigers starting pitcher Reese Olson
The Guardians scored two runs in the second inning on a walk, an error and a single by Austin Hedges. It was their lone hit through six innings against Tigers starting pitcher Reese Olson.
Olson was relieved by Foley to begin the seventh inning. Olson allowed one hit, two runs (one earned) and two walks in six innings. He struck out four and threw 89 pitches (58 strikes).
Tigers take 4-2 lead in the top of the fourth inning
The Tigers captured a 4-2 lead with a four-run fourth inning against Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee.
The Tigers tied the score 2-2 in the fourth inning on a one-out, two-run single by Colt Keith. Keith later scored on a one-out double to right field by Zach McKinstry, giving the Tigers a 3-2 lead. The Tigers extended their lead to 4-2 when Javier Baez drove in a run on a sacrifice fly to right-center field.
The trouble started for Bibee when Andy Ibanez led off the inning with a single and Kerry Carpenter hit a one-out double off the right-field wall. Ibanez and Carpenter scored Detroit's first two runs, followed by Keith and Spencer Torkelson, whom Bibee hit with a pitch.
Bibee was relieved by Sam Hentges to begin the fifth inning. Bibee allowed four runs and five hits in four innings. He struck out five and hit a batter. He threw 82 pitches (54 strikes).
Guardians take 2-0 lead vs. Tigers in the bottom of the second inning
The Guardians capitalized on an error by Tigers second baseman Ibanez and seized a 2-0 lead in the second inning.
After Josh Naylor drew a walk from Tigers right-hander Olson, Fry hit a ground ball directly to third baseman McKinstry. The throw from McKinstry to Ibanez was right on the money, but the ball went off Ibanez's glove and into center field while Naylor advanced to third base and Fry to second.
Then Will Brennan walked, and Gabriel Arias struck out with the bases loaded. But Hedges ensured the Guardians made the Tigers pay for Ibanez's miscue by hitting a one-out, two-run single between McKinstry at third base and Baez at shortstop.
Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee strikes out the side to begin series finale vs. Tigers
Guardians right-hander Bibee struck out the side in the first inning. It took him 14 pitches to handle Riley Greene, Andy Ibanez and Wenceel Perez out of the gate.
It was a notable improvement over the way the Guardians started the previous two games. The Tigers led off with home runs Monday and Tuesday.
Below is some pregame information.
Guardians vs Tigers pitching matchup
Bibee took the mound opposite Olson.
Bibee entered Wednesday 2-1 this season with a 4.46 ERA in 36⅓ innings. In seven starts, he has struck out 39 and walked 13.
Olson is 0-4 this season with a 2.70 ERA in 33⅓ innings. In six starts, he has struck out 31 and walked 13.
Cleveland Guardians batting order and starting lineup against the Detroit Tigers
- Estevan Florial, RF
- Andres Gimenez, 2B
- Jose Ramirez, DH
- Josh Naylor, 1B
- David Fry, LF
- Will Brennan, CF
- Gabriel Arias, 3B
- Austin Hedges, C
- Brayan Rocchio, SS
Detroit Tigers batting order and starting lineup against the Cleveland Guardians
- Riley Greene, LF
- Andy Ibanez, 2B
- Wenceel Perez, CF
- Kerry Carpenter, RF
- Colt Keith, DH
- Spencer Torkelson, 1B
- Zach McKinstry, 3B
- Javier Baez, SS
- Jake Rogers, C
Kyle Manzardo's debut with Guardians:What to know about top prospect appearing in MLB games this week for the first time
Where are the Guardians in the American League Central standings?
The Guardians entered Wednesday with a record of 23-13 and in first place in the AL Central standings.
The Minnesota Twins (20-15) and Kansas City Royals (21-16) were 2.5 games behind the Guardians in the division. The Tigers (19-17) were four games back. The Chicago White Sox (8-28) trailed the Guardians by 15 games.
How can I watch, listen or stream the Cleveland Guardians game tonight?
The game was televised locally by Bally Sports Great Lakes and out of market by MLB Network. It was broadcast on the radio by WTAM (1100-AM) and WARF (1350-AM, Spanish broadcast).
Jose Ramirez breaks a club homer record:'That's what you want out of your superstar'
Guardians schedule, next game
The Guardians are scheduled to head to Chicago for a four-game AL Central series Thursday through Sunday with the White Sox. Then they'll visit the defending World Series champion Texas Rangers Monday through Wednesday.
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.