(Detroit) Backup hitter David Fry hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning, then bunted in the ninth to produce the run that would be the difference in the Cleveland Guardians’ 5-4 victory over the Tigers. Detroit, Thursday evening.
“David Fry is one of the best baseball players in this league,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said bluntly. It was quite a baseball game! »
The Guardians thus ended a streak of 11 defeats in matches where they faced elimination. It was as far back as Game 6 of the 1997 World Series.
Emmanuel Clase got the last five outs of the game for his third save of the year of more than one inning.
“We absolutely had to win,” Vogt said. You want your best pitchers to be on the field as long as possible. »
The fifth and final game of this American League sectional series will take place Saturday in Cleveland. Ace pitcher Tarik Skubal will take the mound for the Tigers.
“It’s always comforting to have Tarik on the mound,” admitted Tigers manager AJ Hinch.
The winners of this series will face the New York Yankees, who eliminated the Kansas City Royals in four games, starting Monday.
“We’re still one win away from moving on to the next round,” Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson said. It’s our state of mind. We don’t want it to be easy. We knew it wouldn’t be easy. »
On the verge of reaching the American League Championship Series for the first time since 2013, the Tigers overcame a 2-1 deficit thanks to a home run by Zach McKinstry in the fifth and a productive single by Wenceel Perez in the sixth.
Beau Brieske hadn’t allowed a run in 5 1/3 innings in four postseason appearances before Fry, who replaced Kyle Manzardo, hit a fastball off a billboard between the two bullpens in left field.
Clase struck out five batters, preserving a 4-3 lead in the eighth when he struck out Trey Sweeney with runners on second and third base.
Fry’s bunt allowed Brayan Rocchio to score in the ninth to increase the lead to 5-3, which proved to be very important.
“We showed all year who we are,” Fry said. We have a tough group of guys. We’re down 2-1 and we’re in the locker room like it’s a normal day. We are showing up to win and are going to win game five! »
Backup hitter Justyn-Henry Malloy hit a double in the ninth inning and came in to score on Jace Jung’s grounder. Clase then struck out Matt Vierling to end the game and get the save.