Gleyber Torres' Heroics Not Enough to Save Detroit
Gleyber Torres hit a single in the third inning. After that, the Detroit Tigers didn't record another hit until Torres delivered a double in the 10th inning. The lack of offense led to the Tigers' downfall in a 7-5 loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday, May 24 — the third of four games in the series. The Guardians tied the game in the eighth inning, then grabbed the lead in the 10th.
The Tigers (33-20) have lost three games in a row for the first time since the first series of the season against the reigning World Series-champion Los Angeles Dodgers, from March 27-29. After three losses, the Tigers' advantage in the American League Central has been trimmed to three games over both the Guardians and the Minnesota Twins.
The Guardians scored four runs in the top of the 10th inning, facing right-handed reliever Brenan Hanifee. Hits from Kyle Manzardo, Angel Martínez, and Nolan Jones drove in three of the runs, while a sacrifice fly from Bo Naylor plated the other run. Hanifee induces ground balls at an elite rate, but he has surrendered at least one hit in 14 of his past 16 relief appearances, including at least two hits in each of his past five outings.
The Guardians took a 7-3 lead into the bottom of the 10th inning, but Torres cut the Tigers' deficit to 7-5 with a two-run double off right-handed reliever Emmanuel Clase. Clase retired Colt Keith on a first-pitch pop out and Riley Greene on a first-pitch groundout to end the game, stranding Torres at second.
Right-hander Casey Mize returned from the injured list after missing the minimum 15 days. He picked up where he left off before the left hamstring strain, allowing just two runs (one earned run) on four hits and one walk with six strikeouts. The 28-year-old tossed 77 pitches across five innings. He has a 2.45 ERA in eight starts.
Matt Vierling made his 2025 debut as a pinch-hitter Friday, May 23, but he started in Saturday's game. He contributed immediately, hitting a first-pitch fastball from right-hander Luis L. Ortiz for a two-run single with two outs in the first inning. The single from Vierling put the Tigers ahead, 3-0.
