David Fry’s powerful two-run homer in the seventh inning, followed by a crucial bunt that secured an insurance run in the ninth, propelled the Cleveland Guardians to a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Detroit Tigers. This win forced a decisive Game 5 in their AL Division Series on Thursday night.
With this victory, Cleveland ended a long-standing streak of 11 consecutive losses in postseason elimination games, a run that dated back to Game 6 of the 1997 World Series.
The pivotal Game 5 is set for Saturday in Cleveland, where ace Tarik Skubal will take the mound for the Tigers. The winner will advance to the AL Championship Series against either the New York Yankees or the Kansas City Royals, starting Monday.
The Tigers, aiming to reach the AL Championship Series for the first time since 2013, initially overcame a 2-1 deficit with a fifth-inning homer from Zach McKinstry and a run-scoring single from Wenceel Perez in the sixth, giving Detroit a 3-2 lead.
Before Fry’s game-changing hit, Beau Brieske had been dominant, pitching 5 1/3 scoreless innings across four postseason appearances. Fry, batting for Kyle Manzardo, launched a fastball off an advertising sign between the bullpens in left field, marking the second pinch-hit homer in Cleveland postseason history, following Hank Majeski’s in Game 4 of the 1954 World Series.
In the eighth inning, Emmanuel Clase showcased his skills by retiring five batters and escaping a jam with runners on second and third, striking out Trey Sweeney with a blistering 100.9 mph cutter that knocked the batter’s helmet off.
Fry’s timely bunt in the ninth inning brought Brayan Rocchio home, increasing the lead to a critical margin.
Justyn-Henry Malloy, another pinch-hitter, doubled to start the ninth, advanced on Parker Meadows’ groundout, and scored on Jace Jung’s groundout. Clase closed the game by striking out Matt Vierling, sealing the win with precision.
