2024-10-08 09:45:02
CLEVELAND — The Guardians started their 2024 postseason with a bang. Now they’ll have to bounce back from a sudden loss Monday evening.
After the Guardians won Game 1 of the American League Division Series via a five-run first inning, Game 2 was decided by a three-run homer in the ninth by the Tigers off Cleveland’s All-Star closer, Emmanuel Clase. That leaves the best-of-five series even at a game apiece.
Monday’s game was pitchers’ duel featuring Detroit’s Tarik Skubal — the likely AL Cy Young winner — against Matthew Boyd, a former longtime Tiger, and Cleveland’s dominant bullpen before a decisive Kerry Carpenter swing in the ninth.
Here is how the game unfolded through our live score updates, analysis and highlights
Tigers win ALDS Game 2 vs. Guardians
The Tigers have won Game 2 3-0, tying the series 1-1.
Kerry Carpenter crushes 3-run home off Emmanuel Clase; Tigers take the lead over Guardians
Progressive Field is stunned.
With two outs, two runners on and two strikes, Kerry Carpenter absolutely launched a three-run home run 423 feet for a go-ahead, three-run home run. Clase threw a slider, and Carpenter belted it.
That’s the first time Clase has ever given up a three-run home run in his entire career. Clase allowed only five earned runs all season and just got tagged for three on one swing.
Tigers have rally against Emmanuel Clase in the 9th inning
The Tigers are putting something together against Emmanuel Clase. With two outs, Jake Rogers and Trey Sweeney both singled to put runners on the corners for the top of the lineup and Kerry Carpenter.
Pitching coach Carl Willis is coming out to talk with Clase.
Tigers turn to bullpen for 8th inning
Tarik Skubal is done after seven innings. Will Vest is entering the game. This is a pretty curious decision by A.J. Hinch.
Steven Kwan makes highlight-reel catch
Steven Kwan might have just made the play of the year.
With two outs, Wenceel Perez hit a ball to left field that appeared to be a run-scoring single to give the Tigers the lead. Steven Kwan raced in and to his right and made a fully stretched dive to catch it maybe an inch off the ground. The play was reviewed and confirmed as called.
Kwan might have just saved the game for the Guardians.
Emmanuel Clase entering in the eighth inning
Matt Vierling doubled off Hunter Gaddis, and Riley Greene was intentionally walked with two outs.
And with that, the Guardians are turning to Emmanuel Clase. They’ll likely hope he can get at least four outs. Even though Gaddis has been terrific, Vogt can’t let this game get away with Clase just sitting in the bullpen.
Guardians-Tigers headed to the 8th inning tied
Tarik Skubal is at 92 pitches and could be back out for the eighth inning. Hunter Gaddis is entering the game for the Guardians.
Guardians-Tigers score: Tim Herrin finishes the seventh inning
Tim Herrin took over for Cade Smith in the seventh and has kept the game scoreless. This game has become a back-and-forth pitching battle with each pitcher walking off the mound fired up, yelling and first pumping.
It’s been a tremendous pitcher’s duel, Skubal vs. the Boyd, Smith and Herrin.
Tarik Skubal gets another double play to end an inning
The Guardians again threatening to score, and Tarik Skubal again escaped the inning with a doubleplay.
Brayan Rocchio doubled and Steven Kwan singled to left field to put runners on the corners with only one out. But again, Skubal got the perfect doubleplay ball he needed, this time off the bat of David Fry.
The Guardians and Tigers are still scoreless after six innings. This game has had plenty of fireworks for a scoreless contest.
Tarik Skubal gets double play to end fifth inning
Jhonkensy Noel was hit by a pitch to put two runners on base, but Andres Gimenez followed by grounding into an inning-ending doubleplay.
Skubal was fired up walking off the mound, yelling and fist-pumping. The perfect game is gone, but the Guardians and Tigers remain scoreless.
For the time being, it’s the Guardians bullpen vs. Skubal.
Josh Naylor breaks up Tarik Skubal perfect game in the fifth inning
The perfect game bid is no more.
With one out in the fifth, Josh Naylor roped a double into the right-center gap. He swung hard enough that his helmet fell off during the swing and stayed in the batter’s box as Naylor strolled into second with the Guardians’ first hit and baserunner of the day.
Cade Smith strikes out Matt Vierling to end fifth inning; Guardians-Tigers score
Cade Smith has now faced five hitters in the ALDS — he’s struck out all five (four in Game 1, Matt Vierling to end the fifth inning today).
Jhonkensy Noel makes incredible play to rob Justyn-Henry Malloy of a double
Jhonkensy Noel has the defensive play of the series thus far. In a game that might be very low scoring, Big Christmas just made the biggest play of the day.
With one out in the fifth, Justyn-Henry Malloy fought off a hit down the right-field line. Noel fielded it, spun and fired to second base, hitting Brayan Rocchio with a strike from 200 feet away and nailing Malloy as he tried to stretch it into a double. Instead of the Tigers having the go-ahead run on second base, the Guardians have two outs in the inning.
And that’ll do it for Boyd, who gave the Guardians 14 scoreless outs, which is close to the best possible outcome for Cleveland. Cade Smith is entering the game at the same point that he did in Game 1.
Tarik Skubal has perfect game through 4 innings
Tarik Skubal is 12-for-12 today. The Guardians have looked lost at the plate, and Skubal now has seven strikeouts. Skubal just made Jose Ramirez look silly on a swing, which is saying something.
Matthew Boyd escapes threat; Guardians-Tigers still scoreless
The Tigers had a golden scoring opportunity to break the deadlock, but Matthew Boyd recovered.
Wenceel Perez opened the inning with a double and moved to third on Spencer Torkelson’s sacrifice fly to right field. With the potential go-ahead run on third, Boyd struck out Parker Meadows and then Jake Rogers to end the inning. Boyd yelled as his walked off the mound.
That’s four scoreless innings for Boyd, which is exactly what the Guardians needed from him today. Cade Smith is warming and could take over to begin the fifth, as the Tigers are about to turn over the lineup for the third time.
Tarik Skubal is perfect through three innings
Tarik Skubal has looked untouchable today so far. He’s faced nine Guardians hitters and has sat them down in order. He’s also struck out six of the nine. He’s at 43 pitches.
Matthew Boyd escapes trouble in third; Guardians-Tigers update in ALDS Game 2
Matthew Boyd escaped a jam in the third.
A single, a walk and a sacrifice fly but runners on the corners and two out for Andy Ibanez. In the biggest at-bat of the game thus far, Boyd induced a groundout to second base to end the inning.
The Guardians and Tigers are still scoreless in game 2.
Who’s winning the Guardians-Tigers game? ALDS Game 2 still scoreless
Matthew Boyd is through two innings unscathed. Parker Meadows had the first hit of the day, a slow roller down the third base line that Jose Ramirez nearly made an amazing play with, but Meadows beat out the throw.
Tarik Skubal followed with another easy inning. He’s cruising.
Tarik Skubal works 1-2-3 inning; Guardians, Tigers tied in ALDS Game 2
Tarik Skubal looks every bit of the Cy Young frontrunner today.
Skubal worked a 1-2-3 first inning, including strikeouts to Steven Kwan (looking) and Jose Ramirez (swinging).
Guardians-Tigers score: Matthew Boyd works scoreless first in ALDS Game 2
Matthew Boyd had to work around a walk, but he did his job, tossing a scoreless first inning. With an off day yesterday, and another one tomorrow, the Guardians don’t necessarily need too many innings from Boyd, so efficiency isn’t as important.
Below is some pregame information.
MLB playoffs: Guardians swap Angel Martinez and Tyler Freeman on ALDS roster
The Guardians have adjusted their ALDS roster ahead of Game 2.
Tyler Freeman is dealing with a strained left oblique and will be replaced by Angel Martinez on the bench. The Guardians had liked how Freeman looked at the end of the season and wanted the extra utility position player. Martinez replaces that role as a switch-hitting option.
Video: Guardians manager Stephen Vogt announces Alex Cobb as Cleveland’s ALDS Game 3 starter vs. Tigers
Guardians-Tigers ALDS coverage from Game 1 on ‘Guards Ball,” Cade Smith’s impact and Tanner Bibee’s start
Here are the top takeaways to know from Game 1 and before Game 2 begins.
Video: Guardians starting pitcher Gavin Williams talks about working out of the bullpen in the ALDS
MLB Playoffs: Guardians-Tigers ALDS preview
Here’s a complete series preview, including each team’s biggest advantage.
What time is Guardians-Tigers ALDS Game 2?
Game 2 has a first-pitch time of 4:08 p.m. ET.
Guardians ALDS roster
The Guardians announced their ALDS roster Saturday morning.
Guardians lineup in ALDS Game 2
- Steven Kwan, LF
- David Fry, DH
- Jose Ramirez, 3B
- Lane Thomas, CF
- Josh Naylor, 1B
- Jhonkensy Noel, RF
- Andres Gimenez, 2B
- Austin Hedges, C
- Brayan Rocchio, SS
Tigers lineup in ALDS Game 2
- Justyn-Henry Malloy, DH
- Matt Viewling, 3B
- Andy Ibanez, 2B
- Riley Greene, LF
- Wenceel Perez, RF
- Spencer Torkelson, 1B
- Parker Meadows, CF
- Jake Rogers, C
- Trey Sweeney, SS
