The Cleveland Guardians rallied to a 5-4 victory over the Detroit Tigers in Game 4 of the ALDS on Thursday, forcing a decisive Game 5 in the series.
The Detroit Tigers were on the cusp of advancing to the American League Championship Series, but the Cleveland Guardians refused to go quietly. Cleveland's unlikely victory in Game 4 of the ALDS on Thursday night has set the stage for a thrilling Game 5 showdown.
The Guardians struck first, driving in a run in the first inning. Detroit responded with a sac fly in the next inning to tie the game. Jose Ramirez gave Cleveland the lead with a homer in the fifth, but Zach McKinstry answered right back with a solo shot of his own.
Guardians Force Game 5, End Tigers' Dream of ALCS
Detroit took a 3-2 lead in the sixth inning on Wenceel Perez's two-out single. The crowd at Comerica Park erupted, sensing a potential series-clinching victory.
However, the Guardians had a big response in store. Pinch-hitter David Fry blasted a two-out, two-run homer in the seventh inning to put Cleveland back in front, 4-3.
Guardians Force Game 5, End Tigers' Dream of ALCS
Cleveland's bullpen, which has been a strength all season, held on for dear life. After the Tigers put runners on first and second with one out in the eighth, manager Stephen Vogt went to closer Emmanuel Clase earlier than he would have liked. Clase escaped the jam with a groundout and a strikeout.
With runners on the corners and one out in the top of the ninth, the Guardians wanted some insurance, and they got it with a suicide squeeze from Fry himself, scoring Steven Kwan to give Clase a comfortable two-run lead.
Guardians Force Game 5, End Tigers' Dream of ALCS
Clase, however, allowed a leadoff double in the bottom of the ninth, putting the tying run at the plate. The leadoff man eventually scored, showing how important the insurance run was. Thankfully for Cleveland, there was no more damage, and Clase got the final two outs to secure the win.
The Guardians had lost their previous 11 games when facing elimination, but they snapped that streak in dramatic fashion. Kwan recorded three hits to bump his average this series to .500.
Detroit was hoping to save AL Cy Young Award favorite Tarik Skubal for Game 1 of the ALCS, but he will likely now take the bump for the Tigers in Cleveland. The Guardians' starter is also TBD, but it looks like it will be Matthew Boyd on regular rest.
Game 5 of the ALDS will be played on Saturday, with a time to be determined, based on the outcome of Thursday's Yankees-Royals game. The winner will advance to face the Houston Astros in the ALCS.
