Carpenter's 3-run home run off Clase gives the Tigers a 3-0 win over the Guardians in Game 2 of ALDS

CLEVELAND (AP) — Kerry Carpenter hit a three-run home run in the ninth inning against Cleveland's All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase, and the Detroit Tigers beat the Guardians 3-0 in Game 2 on Monday to even their AL Division Series in a game from apiece.

Carpenter hit a 423-foot shot with two outs off Clase, who hadn't given up a run since August 30 and led the American League with 47 saves.

“It’s special to do it with him,” Carpenter said. “He’s one of the best.”

Detroit star Tarik Skubal pitched seven shutout innings, raising his postseason total to 13, before the Tigers pitched a rare big inning against the nearly unbeatable Clase.

The intimidating right-hander has dominated hitters all season – he hasn't made a single save since May – and made just his second multi-inning appearance of 2024.

Jake Rogers and Trey Sweeney hit consecutive two-out singles. Carpenter, who had previously entered an inning as a pinch-hitter, converted Clase's third straight slider, sending the ball into the right field seats and shocking Cleveland's raucous home crowd.

“How about those three two-out hits?” Tigers manager AJ Hinch said.

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt had no regrets about using Clase for more than one innings.

“Emmanuel was locked up all year,” Vogt said. “He was almost perfect. He is also human. These things are going to happen, and it's unfortunate when it happened, but at the same time, he's going to have the ball again in the ninth.

“He’s the best closer in the game for a reason, and they happened to get him tonight.”

The home run drove in the first runs of the series for the Tigers, who have been looking for ways to win for months. Detroit qualified for the postseason after going 31-13 on August 11 and then defeated the AL West champion Houston Astros in the Wild Card Series.

They're back at it again, heading home to Comerica Park for Games 3 and 4 on Wednesday and Thursday, where they have a chance to advance.

“You come into this environment, on the road, and it’s a five-game series,” Tigers manager AJ Hinch said. “When you get that emotional win and go back home 1-1, you feel like you've scored a goal at home.

“We have two games under our belt now. We know it will be electric. We know Detroit has been waiting a long time for a playoff game. We’ll have a few of them and have a chance to take control of this series.”

When Carpenter entered the box, the Tigers had a feeling something good was about to happen.

“Kerry coming up there being Kerry Bonds is exactly what you want,” Rogers said. “He got one deep and in the middle of the zone. I had the best view of it and screamed from the bottom of my heart.”

After Skubal pitched seven innings and winner Will Vest got through the eighth inning, Beau Brieske pitched a perfect ninth inning for the save.

Skubal was practicing after the game when Carpenter hit a home run.

“What a swing,” he said. “I was down and I think that was the fastest time I've ever done in my life. What a hit from a really good pitcher, the best closer in the game. That was incredible to see.”

Skubal, who won the AL pitching triple crown by leading the league in wins (18), ERA (2.39) and strikeouts (288), allowed just three hits. The left-hander dominated the Guardians through the first 4 1/3 innings, striking out eight before Josh Naylor scored Cleveland first with one out in the fifth. Skubal then hit rookie Jhonkensy Noel with a left hand.

But the 27-year-old Skubal, who has never played a complete game, got Andrés Giménez to jump into an inning-ending double play and celebrated loudly as he left the mound and headed toward Detroit's dugout.

Cleveland also threatened in the sixth.

No. 9 hitter Brayan Rocchio doubled with one out and Kwan hit a single. Rocchio was pinned at third, and Skubal got out of trouble again when Detroit's infield converted a nifty 6-4-3 double play that prompted the left-hander to raise his hands and ask the crowd for more applause, like a Conductor urging his orchestra to increase volume.

TRAINER ROOM

Guardians: Utility man Tyler Freeman was replaced on the ALDS roster after suffering an oblique injury while swinging during a simulated game on Sunday. Freeman, who was replaced by rookie Ángel Martínez, should likely be in the lineup for Game 2. He batted .385 against Detroit this season and knows Skubal well, having faced him in the minors.

NEXT

Guardians RHP Alex Cobb will make his first start since September 1st in Game 3. He was sidelined by a blister on his middle finger and made just three starts after being acquired in a trade from San Francisco in July. He will pitch for Tampa Bay in the postseason for the first time since Game 3 of the ALDS in 2013.

Detroit manager AJ Hinch had not announced his starter.

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