SUMMARY
Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson each produced a run and six pitchers joined forces as the Detroit Tigers managed to shut out the Cleveland Guardians 3-0 on Wednesday.
The Michigan team thus takes a 2-1 lead in the sectional series.
The Tigers will have a chance to advance in the American League Championship Series for the first time since 2013 Thursday night in Game 4 at Comerica Park.
“We are human,” Torkelson said. We know how close we are. »
The Guardians have not scored any runs in the last 20 innings in the series.
“It’s a small sample size, but obviously in the playoffs it gets a lot bigger,” David Fry said after going 0 for 3 with two strikeouts, contributing to the team’s eight runners left on the trail. .
“I think the guys hit it hard, but the balls didn’t really fall. »
After a dazzling performance from the favorite for the Cy-Young Trophy in the American, Tarik Skubal, in the second game, manager AJ Hinch this time trusted several pitchers to keep the Guardians in check.
Reliever Will Vest entered the game with two runners on and two outs in the seventh inning. He forced David Fry to hit the ball directly into Matt Vierling’s glove at third base.
“He really likes to hit the ball, so I was ready for whatever came my way,” Vierling said. I didn’t have time to think. I just had to react. »
“It’s a huge win for us. Just to see the stadium and the whole city come out to watch the first playoff game in a decade,” Vierling added.
Keider Montero retired the batters in order in the first, Brant Hurter allowed five hits in 3 1/3 innings, Beau Brieske pitched for two innings and Sean Guenter got one out. Vest pitched for an inning and a third and Tyler Holton handled the ninth.
“Nothing that happened took us by surprise,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. We were prepared for all of this.”
The Guardians’ pitchers did their job, but the offense struggled. No less than eight runners in scoring position were left on base.
“I think we did a great job of setting the table,” Vogt said. We just couldn’t hit the big hit. »
The Tigers had two shutouts in a series for the first time in their history.
It is also the first time since the 1905 World Series that the first three games of a series have been shutouts.
The Tigers took a 2-0 lead in the third when Jake Rogers led off the inning with a double. He advanced to third base on a grounder from Parker Meadows and crossed home plate on a sacrifice fly from Vierling.
Alex Cobb got the start for the Guardians, having not pitched since September 1 due to a blister on the middle finger of his right hand. He gave up two runs on three hits in three innings.
