It’s a tie game. Two outs. Two men on base. The tension is so thick you can almost feel it through the screen. And standing there at the plate, Kerry Carpenter, the Detroit Tigers' slugger, is staring down Emmanuel Clase, the Cleveland Guardians’ dominant closer. The entire series may hang on this moment.
You can almost feel the collective intake of breath as Clase winds up. And then, crack! Carpenter turns on a nasty slider and obliterates the ball. He sends it soaring 423 feet into right field, leaving no doubt. Three-run homer. Tigers take a thrilling 3-0 win in Game 2 of the ALDS at Progressive Field. What a way to end the game.
But this wasn’t just any game—it had everything. If you love baseball, this was one for the ages. Drama, controversy, stellar plays, and above all, a showcase of sensational pitching on both sides. Detroit's pitcher Tarik Skubal, who was on fire, threw seven innings of scoreless baseball, while Cleveland’s pitching kept the game tight until Carpenter worked his magic.
Tarik Skubal's Masterclass on the Mound
Let’s talk about Tarik Skubal for a moment. The Tigers' ace was simply on another level. He delivered a pitching performance that will be talked about for a long time. Seven innings, eight strikeouts, and only three hits. The guy was untouchable for most of the game. At one point, he was pitching a perfect game, cruising through 13 consecutive batters before Josh Naylor managed to break it up in the fifth inning with a double. Up until that point, Skubal had Guardians fans on edge, as no one could figure him out.
Skubal was all emotion and confidence, feeding off the energy from the crowd. Every strikeout, every out, he kept pushing, practically daring the Guardians to do something. When he got off the mound after escaping a jam in the sixth, he was visibly fired up. You could see him waving to the crowd, smirking, as if to say, "Is that all you've got?" That swagger was backed up by his performance. When you’ve got a pitcher like that on the mound, you’re just one run away from taking over.
Key Defensive Plays: Double Plays and Controversy
Of course, a game like this doesn’t just ride on pitching alone. There were some incredible defensive plays that turned the tide, including a jaw-dropping double play by Detroit’s rookies. In the sixth inning, with runners on first and third, Cleveland had a prime opportunity to break the deadlock. But when David Fry grounded to shortstop, the Tigers’ young guns, Trey Sweeney and Colt Keith, teamed up for a perfectly executed double play, ending the threat and keeping the score tied at zero.
And let’s not forget the controversy. Cleveland left fielder Steven Kwan made a diving, sliding catch—or did he? It was a pivotal moment in the eighth inning when Detroit’s Wenceel Perez hit what looked like a surefire line drive. Kwan’s catch was so close that even Cleveland’s own radio announcers thought Perez had a hit. After what felt like an eternity, the umps reviewed the play and ruled it a catch. Was it the right call? Who knows. But in the end, it didn’t matter—because Carpenter’s bat made sure of that.
Pitching Duel: Skubal vs. Cleveland's Bullpen
Let’s not forget Cleveland’s pitching, though. Matthew Boyd, a former Tiger, took the mound for the Guardians and put up a solid effort, going 4⅔ innings and striking out five. Cleveland's bullpen kept the Tigers in check, setting the stage for the late-game drama.
But this wasn’t just a one-sided pitching performance—this was a duel. On the other side, Cleveland’s closer Emmanuel Clase came into the game with his usual dominance. He’s the guy you want on the mound when you’re looking to close the door on a game. But baseball has a way of being unpredictable. Clase made one mistake—a slider that stayed over the plate—and Carpenter made him pay.
Blown Chances for Detroit
The Tigers had their opportunities earlier in the game, and it wasn’t looking promising at times. In the fourth inning, they had a golden chance to score. Wenceel Perez doubled, moved to third on a fly ball by Spencer Torkelson, and Detroit was just one hit away from taking the lead. But Parker Meadows struck out on a slider, and Boyd struck out Jake Rogers to end the inning. It felt like a missed opportunity, the kind that can come back to haunt you in the postseason.
Then in the eighth inning, the Tigers were knocking on the door again. Matt Vierling doubled, and Greene was intentionally walked. That brought up Perez, who hit the controversial line drive that Kwan supposedly caught. The Tigers’ bench was livid, and for a moment, it felt like the momentum was slipping away from them. But then came the ninth inning, and Carpenter’s heroics erased all of that.
A Battle of Stars: Skubal vs. Ramirez
One of the more fascinating battles of the game was between Skubal and Cleveland's superstar, Jose Ramirez. Ramirez, who leads the Guardians in nearly every offensive category—hits, doubles, home runs, RBIs, OPS—was a critical player for the Guardians. Slowing him down was key for Detroit.
In their first encounter, Skubal went straight at him with five consecutive fastballs before switching it up with a couple of changeups, ultimately striking him out. In the fourth inning, Skubal got the best of Ramirez again, this time by relying on off-speed pitches, including four straight changeups. And in the seventh inning, Skubal mixed up his pitches again, getting Ramirez to ground out.
What’s Next?
This series is far from over. The Tigers and Guardians get a break on Tuesday, but the action picks up again on Wednesday for Game 3 in Detroit at Comerica Park. With the Tigers now holding a 2-0 lead in the series, they are one win away from advancing. But you can bet Cleveland won’t go down without a fight. Game 4, if necessary, will be on Thursday, and a potential Game 5 would take place back in Cleveland on Saturday.
Baseball fans, buckle up—because this ALDS series has already delivered some unforgettable moments, and there’s still more to come.
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