The Tigers continued their series against the Cleveland Guardians tonight with Jack Flaherty squaring off against Tanner Bibee.
Detroit wasted no time getting on the board, but it would be the only run they’d score all night (spoiler alert). With two outs in the first, Matt Vierling hit a solo home run.
Flaherty was also in a good groove as they headed into the home half, getting the Guardians out in order.
The second inning was three-up, three-down for both teams, and the Tigers also went without a runner in the top of the third. The bottom half of the third saw the Guardians get their first baserunner in the form of a Bo Naylor walk, but that was it, no runs scored.
Colt Keith singled to start the fourth, but a Matt Vierling double play eliminated the baserunner. Riley Greene got on board with a walk, but a Mark Canha strikeout ended the inning. In the bottom half Angel Martinez singled, then successfully stole second. Josh Naylor walked, but the Tigers got out of the jam.
The Tigers were 1-2-3 in the top of the fifth, and in the bottom of the inning the Guardians finally got something from Flaherty. Bo Naylor got a two-out single, then advanced to second on a passed ball by Carson Kelly. Then a Steven Kwan single brought Naylor home, and tied the game up 1-1.
Scott Barlow came in to replace Bibee in the sixth after Bibee evidently showed some signs of injury in his right leg, wincing as he headed to the mound. Barlow got the Tigers out in order. Flaherty righted the ship and returned the favor in the bottom half. That was the end of the day for Jack, going 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K on 96 pitches. Really nice night for him, too bad he didn’t get more run support to back it up.
With one out in the seventh, Tim Herrin replaced Barlow to get the final two outs of the inning. Andrew Chafin came out in relief and for the Guardians out in order.
Hunter Gaddis was the next pitcher out of the Cleveland pen, getting the Tigers 1-2-3, meanwhile, the Tigers moved on to Beau Brieske for the bottom half, and he walked Bo Naylor. Naylor then stole second and very, very nearly got tagged out, but the Tigers opted not to review the safe call. With two outs Jose Ramirez was intentionally walked, and then a Josh Naylor single scored Bo Naylor, giving the Guardians the lead.
In the ninth, it was the nearly unhittable Emmanuel Clase on the mound for Cleveland. Colt Keith gave the Tigers a little hope with a well-fought walk, but the game ended with the next out.
Final: Cleveland 2, Tigers 1