DETROIT, MI - APRIL 19: Jose Ramirez #11 of the Cleveland Guardians, center, celebrates with Andres Gimenez #0 and Steven Kwan #38 after hitting a three-run home run against the Detroit Tigers during the sixth inning at Comerica Park on April 19, 2023, in Detroit, Michigan.Photo: Duane Burleson/Getty Images
The Cleveland Guardians needed one big inning to take and maintain the lead against the Detroit Tigers, win the series finale 3-2 and prevent a sweep. The Guardians finish their road trip with a 3-3 record after taking two of three against the Washington Nationals.
The first half of this contest mirrored game two of yesterday's double header - scoreless after five innings and limited scoring opportunities. This time instead of the Tigers hitting a sixth inning home run, it was Jose Ramirez's turn. With two runners on and no outs, Ramirez blasted a three-run homer to right field for a 3-0 lead - one at-bat after he struck out on a pitch clock violation. This swing also broke the Guardians' 19-inning scoreless streak going back to game one of yesterday's double header.
The Tigers clawed back on a pair of solo home runs: Spencer Torkelson in the seventh, and Zach McKinstry in the eighth; the latter cutting the lead to 3-2. Detroit had other scoring chances with runners in scoring position but Cleveland pitching countered: Torkelson doubled in the fifth, but was stranded there after Cal Quantrill retired the next two batters. In the sixth Matt Vierling hit a leadoff double and reached third on Javier Baez's two-out single. The next batter, Kerry Carpenter, grounded out sharply to Quantrill who completed the putout to first base, but left the game after the ball deflected off of his foot.
With no outs in the ninth, Emmanuel Clase allowed back-to-back singles, but shut down the next three batters to notch the Guardians' 3-2 victory and his sixth save this season. Cal Quantrill earned his first win with his quality start (six innings, no runs allowed), and Spencer Turnbull took the loss after allowing the Ramirez home run.
The Guardians are off tomorrow and will begin a six-game homestand on Friday at 7:10 PM; starting with the Miami Marlins for three games. Zach Plesac (1-0, 6.92 ERA) will start for the Guardians and Braxton Garrett (0-0, 3.38 ERA) will start for the Marlins. These teams last met in 2019 and split each two-game series in the others' ballpark.