UPDATE: The Detroit Tigers fell short in Game 2 of their AL Wild Card Series against the Cleveland Guardians, stranding a staggering 15 baserunners in a 6-1 defeat on October 4, 2023. This loss not only evens the best-of-three series but also marks a franchise postseason record for runners left on base.
Despite multiple opportunities to score, the Tigers went an abysmal 1 for 15 with runners in scoring position. The only hit that drove in a run came from Javier Baez in the fourth inning, where he singled off Guardians starter Tanner Bibee to bring home All-Star outfielder Riley Greene. “We were one swing away, one mistake from blowing that thing open,” Greene stated. “It was that close. You need to hit pitches. You need to find the barrel. It’s all of us.”
The Guardians seized the moment in the eighth inning, scoring five runs against relievers Troy Melton and Brant Hurter. Melton allowed a go-ahead solo home run to Brayan Rocchio, followed by back-to-back doubles from Steven Kwan and Daniel Schneemann. Hurter entered but quickly surrendered a three-run homer to Bo Naylor, solidifying the Guardians’ lead.
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch lamented the missed opportunities, stating, “Obviously, they made the most of their opportunities and we left 15 guys on. It was a hard-fought game, and the score doesn’t indicate how close it was. But we kept giving ourselves a chance.”
This game marks a historical low for the Tigers, as they become the first team to strand 15 runners in a playoff game since the Los Angeles Angels in the 2009 AL Championship Series. Their previous high was 14 runners left on base during the 1984 World Series.
The Tigers had a chance to take the lead in the fourth inning when Baez appeared to have a two-run single, but a video review overturned the call, ruling that Zach McKinstry was tagged out at third before Dillon Dingler could cross home plate. “It was like a four-minute delay; that tells you how close that play was,” Hinch remarked.
Greene added that the team’s aggressive base-running style will not change, stating, “We all thought he was safe. We’ve been going from first to third all year, and we’re not going to change now. That’s the way we play.”
As the series heads to a decisive Game 3, the Tigers must address their offensive inconsistencies. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see if the Tigers can capitalize on their scoring chances and advance in the postseason.
The upcoming game is set for October 5, 2023, and both teams will be vying for a spot in the next round of the playoffs. This is a critical moment for the Tigers, who face the urgency of overcoming their past mistakes if they hope to continue their postseason run.
Stay tuned for more updates as the series unfolds!
