Game Recap 5/8/24 | Guardians Beat The Tigers 5-4

Post-Game Recap

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3 Things Around The Game

1 – CLEVELAND COMEBACK PT1

With the Guardians down 4-2 in the bottom of the 8th, they started their comeback with an Andres Gimenez groundout to score Brayan Rocchio, who got to third earlier in the inning by stealing second and advancing to third on a poor throw by catcher Jake Rogers.

In the bottom of the 9th, David Fry tied the game at 4 with a deep fly to right field, just clearing the wall.  

2 – CLEVELAND COMEBACK PT2

In the top of the 10th, with the score still tied at four, Ryan Vilade came up and hit a grounder to Rocchio, who threw to second to tag out Javier Baez, who was caught off of second, taking away the runner in scoring position.

3 – CLEVELAND COMEBACK PT3

Rocchio was the star on Wednesday for the Guards with the game-winning walk-off single scoring Ramon Laureano.

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Game Summary

In the 10th inning of Wednesday’s game, shortstop Brayan Rocchio of the Cleveland Guardians delivered a decisive single, bringing home the automatic runner Ramón Laureano and securing a 5-4 victory over the Detroit Tigers.

Cleveland rallied in the ninth inning with David Fry’s solo homer against Andrew Chafin, forcing the game into extra innings. Rocchio then sealed the comeback with a well-struck hit into center field off closer Alex Lange (0-2).

Expressing his elation through an interpreter, Rocchio said, “It’s an incredibly satisfying feeling. I’ve been striving for moments like these for a long time, and it’s truly gratifying when they finally come to fruition. I focus on controlling what’s within my power, knowing that it can lead to positive outcomes.”

Rocchio’s impactful performance included stealing second base, capitalizing on Jake Rogers’ throwing error to advance to third, and scoring an unearned run in the eighth off Joey Wentz, narrowing the gap to 4-3. This walk-off hit marked Rocchio’s first in his career, clinching Cleveland’s ninth series win out of 12 this season.

Fry, acknowledging Rocchio’s prowess, commented with a grin, “We knew he was going to deliver the walk-off. He’s been phenomenal at shortstop every single day.”

Emmanuel Clase (2-1) secured the win with a scoreless inning, as Cleveland climbed to tie for the second-best record in the American League at 24-13.

Detroit initially took a 4-2 lead with four runs in the fourth inning, led by rookie Colt Keith’s two-run single. Despite a solid performance from starter Reese Olson, who allowed only one hit in six innings, the Tigers couldn’t maintain their lead. Olson remains winless in seven outings since his victory over the Dodgers on Sept. 20, 2023.

Reflecting on the game, Tigers catcher Jake Rogers lamented, “Reese kept them guessing all day, so this one hurts.”

The Tigers, who lead the majors with 15 one-run games, are 7-8 in such contests. They ended their six-game road trip against the Yankees and Guardians with a 1-5 record. Second baseman Andy Ibáñez’s error in the second inning proved pivotal in Cleveland’s two-run surge.

Meanwhile, Tanner Bibee pitched four innings for Cleveland, allowing four runs while striking out five.

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UP NEXT

Ben Lively (1-1, 2.08 ERA) takes on White Sox right-hander Erick Fedde (2-0, 3.46 ERA) in the four-game series opener on the road Thursday.

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