Brayan Rocchio's RBI hit in the 10th gives the Guardians a 5-4 win over the Tigers
Cleveland Guardians' David Fry watches his solo home run off Detroit Tigers pitcher Andrew Chafin during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Cleveland. Credit: AP/Ron Schwane
CLEVELAND — Brayan Rocchio singled home automatic runner Ramón Laureano with one out in the 10th inning, giving the Cleveland Guardians a 5-4 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday.
Cleveland forced extra innings on David Fry’s solo homer in the ninth against Andrew Chafin, then completed its comeback when Rocchio sharply smacked a pitch from closer Alex Lange (0-2) into center field.
Rocchio also scored an unearned run in the eighth off Joey Wentz to pull the Guardians within 4-3. It was his first career walk-off hit.
Emmanuel Clase (2-1) earned the win with a scoreless inning as Cleveland moved into a tie for the second-best record in the American League at 24-13.
It was Detroit's major league-high 15th one-run game of the season. The Tigers are 7-8 in those games.
The Tigers scored four times in the fourth to grab a 4-2 lead, highlighted by rookie Colt Keith’s two-run single. Zach McKinstry doubled home Keith with the go-ahead run and Javier Báez followed with a sacrifice fly off Tanner Bibee.
Detroit starter Reese Olson allowed one hit in six innings — a two-run single by Austin Hedges in the second — and is winless in seven outings since beating the Dodgers on Sept. 20, 2023. The right-hander gave up one earned run and struck out four.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Reese Olson delivers against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Cleveland. Credit: AP/Ron Schwane
Hedges singled with the bases loaded to put the Guardians ahead 2-0. Josh Naylor and Fry scored, capitalizing on an dropped-ball error by second baseman Andy Ibáñez.
Bibee worked four innings, giving up four runs while striking out five. The right-hander threw 44 of his 82 pitches in the fourth.
Cleveland’s top power-hitting prospect, Kyle Manzardo, had a pinch-hit single in the seventh for his first major league hit. He went 0 for 7 with five strikeouts in his first two games.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges watches his two RBI single off Detroit Tigers pitcher Reese Olson during the second inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Cleveland. Credit: AP/Ron Schwane
Tigers: OF Mark Canha (illness) was unavailable for the second day in a row and was told to remain at the hotel, hoping to contain the bug that affected a handful of players and coaches on their six-game trip.
Guardians: RHP Eli Morgan (right shoulder inflammation), who was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 17, has allowed two runs in 1 1/3 innings over two games of a rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus.
UP NEXT
Tigers: Right-hander Casey Mize (1-1, 3.98 ERA) will start against Houston when Detroit debuts its City Connect uniforms at Comerica Park on Friday.
Guardians: RHP 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.
