Hey, we’re back, still playing the Guardians. Let’s just roll right into the recap. The Tigers had a bullpen day going because they have no healthy pitchers left to use, so the starter was Drew Anderson, while the Guardians were leaning on Tanner Bibee. While Bibee hasn’t had a bad season, he also hasn’t recorded a win, so perhaps that bodes well for the Tigers? Guess we’ll see.
With two outs in the first, rookie Chase DeLauter got a single, but the Guardians left him stranded. The Tigers didn’t put much into getting an early lead, however, as they went 1-2-3 in the home half.
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Steven Kwan got a two-out single in the second, so he’s been on base every game of this series so far. A pop-out from the Guardians’ newly acquired catcher Patrick Bailey ended the inning, though. The Tigers had another three-up, three-down inning to leave the game scoreless after two.
Anderson continued into the third inning and finally got the Guardians out in order. The Tigers finally got a baserunner in the third with a two-out single from Jake Rogers, and while he didn’t score, at least they got someone going.
Drew Anderson was totally dialled in by the fourth, getting the side out 1-2-3 again, and actually looking very good while doing it. The Tigers unfortunately did the same in the bottom of the inning.
David Fry took a leadoff walk in the fifth. Then, with two outs, Brayan Rocchio walked as well, and that was it for Anderson, who had a really decent start, going 4.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K on 63 pitches. He was replaced by Kyle Finnegan who got the final out of the inning. In the home half, the Tigers went down in order. Not really the best approach if you want to win a single game ever.
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With one out in the sixth, DeLauter singled for the second time in the game. He then stole second with ease, his first steal in the majors. Rhys Hoskins singled down the third base line, and while Gage Workman got the ball across the infield in good time, it was well wide of first, forcing Colt Keith off the bag and allowing Hoskins to reach safely. After the second out of the inning, Finnegan’s night was done and he was replaced by Brant Hurter, taking on a pinch-hitting Travis Bazzana. Hurter got the final out of the inning and the game was still scoreless. In the home half Hao-Yu Lee singled, but tried to leg out a double and got caught at second. Two outs ended the inning without any real potential for a run.
Kwan walked to start the seventh, but was eliminated in a double play off the bat of Bailey. Another out ended the inning without any major threat. Kevin McGonigle got a leadoff walk in the bottom of the inning, then with one out, Riley Greene singled to put men on the corners. A sac fly from Matt Vierling did the impossible: finally scored a run in this game. They just got the one, but that feels impressive enough in this game.
Kenley Jansen was on for the Tigers in the eighth. With two outs, DeLauter walked. Kyle Manzardo then came in to pinch-hit. DeLauter stole second, but Jansen was tuned in and got the final out of the inning, keeping the Guardians scoreless. In the bottom of the eighth Zach McKinstry singled. Lee then reached on a fielder’s choice, which should have eliminated McKinstry, but thanks to an error by Bazzana, both runners found themselves safely on base. McKinstry ended up getting eliminated anyway as Jake Rogers showed bunt, McKinstry had a big lead off second, and then didn’t make it back in time when Bibee made the pickoff. Bibee got the next two outs as well, so the Tigers would need to defend their slim lead in the ninth.
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Will Vest got the nod for the ninth. Daniel Schneeman and Travis Bazzana hit back-to-back singles to start the inning, which is an inauspicious start. A sac bunt by Kwan advanced the runners. A groundout by Bailey was placed just right to allow Schneeman to score, and just like that it was a tie game. While Vest did end up getting the final out of the inning, the Tigers were going to need to come up with a last-minute miracle to walk off the game as winners.
Bibee’s day was finally done and he was replaced by Erik Sabrowski. He gave up back-to-back walks to McGonigle and Dingler. Greene struck out, and that was it for Sabrowski who was replaced by Colin Holderman. The Tigers just couldn’t make it happen, even with two runners on, and the game was heading for extras.
Tyler Holton was the Tigers’ man for the moment in the tenth. The game didn’t stay tied for long. Angel Martinez tripled, scoring the ghost runner, then right on his heels, Jose Ramirez doubled to score Martinez. DeLauter then reached on a fielder’s choice that saw Ramirez tagged out at third. The Tigers did get the final two outs of the inning but the situation was pretty bad, let’s be honest. Cade Smith came out for the Guardians and he gave up a leadoff single to McKinstry, who scored the ghost runner, and suddenly it was a one-run game again. While the Tigers were able to make it close, it wasn’t enough, and they dropped the third game in the series. If you want any positives from this game, at least Tanner Bibee still has no wins.
Final: Guardians 3, Tigers 2 (F/10)
