Game one of the Independence Day double header goes to the Tigers, 4-1.
Garrett Hill earned the win in his MLB Debut. He went six innings, allowed one run on two hits, struck out three batters, and walked one. Zach Plesac took the loss, allowing two runs on six hits in six innings while giving up two with three strikeouts. Gregory Soto earned his 16th save, his third against the Guardians this season.
Long-time Cleveland nemesis, Miguel Cabrera, hit a two-run single in the first inning to put the Tigers on top. The Guardians nearly cut it in half in the third inning when Steven Kwan doubled to left with Myles Straw at second base. Straw appeared to score, but he was ruled out upon review. Josh Naylor launched his 11th home run in the fourth to cut the lead in half, but these were Cleveland's only two hits. Naylor also drew a walk in the seventh but left the game with back spasms.
The Tigers added insurance runs late when Javier Baez singled in the seventh, and Tucker Barnhart doubled in the eighth, both scoring Jonathan Schoop who went four-for-four. The Guardians got the tying run at-bat in the ninth after Myles Straw and Jose Ramirez walked but were unable to rally.
The Tigers improve to 31-47 and improve to 4-2 against the Guardians this season, who drop to 40-37. This was the Guardians' third double header in the past seven days, and seventh this season with three more scheduled. The nightcap will be the Guardians' fifth game in three days, featuring a pitching matchup between Cleveland's Konnor Pilkington (1-1, 4.31 ERA) and Detroit's Alex Faedo (1-4, 4.84 ERA).