The bullpen was a bust in afternoon shutout.
The best thing about the end of today’s game is knowing that the Tigers do not need to play the Guardians again in the regular season. THAT is a huge relief, if you ask me.
Today’s game saw Gavin Williams on the mound for the Guardians and the Tigers going to their bullpen again, with Tyler Holton getting the Opener role.
The Guardians started out going three-up, three-down, and the Tigers did the same in the home half.
In the second, Andres Gimenez got a two-out single, followed by a Tyler Freeman single which advanced Gimenez to third, Freeman then stole second, but neither runner scored. In the bottom of the inning, Bligh Madris hit a one-out single. Gio Urshela then reached on a fielding error from Josh Naylor. Neither of the Tigers’ runners scored.
With two outs in the top of the third, Alex Faedo replaced Holton and got the final out of the inning. In the home half, Colt Keith continued to swing away, getting a two-out single. A groundout, unfortunately, ended the inning.
In the fourth, Josh Naylor made up for his earlier error by hitting a solo home run with one out in the top of the inning. The Tigers went 1-2-3 in the bottom of the inning.
Tyler Freeman started the fifth by getting hit by a pitch. Daniel Schneemann took advantage and hit a long double, allowing Freeman to score. With two outs, Shelby Miller took over from Faedo and got the final out. The Tigers got one baserunner with a Zach McKinstry walk, and Gavin Williams committed an error trying to pick him off, but no runs scored.
The Guardians went 1-2-3 in the top of the sixth. Gavin Williams was done for the day after the fifth, giving way to Tim Herrin. Justyn-Henry Malloy got a one-out single, but a double play ended the inning.
Will Vest was next out of the Tigers’ pen, giving up a double to Tyler Freeman but otherwise keeping the Guardians in check. Nick Sandlin replaced Herrin and while Bligh Madris singled to start the inning, a strikeout and a double play ended things shortly thereafter.
In the eighth the Tigers turned to Jason Foley. Lane Thomas hit a two-out single, then who else but Jose Ramirez hit a home run to score two. Cade Smith was the next Guardians pitcher up, though at this point maybe they should just let Jose Ramirez pitch since he has embarrassed the Tigers with everything else he does. While Jake Rogers got on with a walk, a double play ended the inning.
Joey Wentz replaced Foley for the ninth, just hoping to keep the score at 4-0. He did not. With two outs, Brayan Rocchio hit a solo home run. The Tigers then went down in order in the home half.
Final: Guardians 5, Tigers 0