We built the kind of lead you want to bank early — Max Clark and Ben Malgeri each ripping two-run singles in a four-run first inning against Logan Allen, and Gleyber Torres crossing twice in the first two frames. When Spencer Torkelson launched a solo shot off Slade Cecconi in the third to make it 6-1, this one felt in hand at Progressive Field. Then it unraveled. Cleveland answered with six unanswered runs, and Brayan Rocchio was the wrecking ball — a game-tying grand slam in the fourth, his first career slam, then a walk-off homer to lead off the ninth off Drew Sommers to left field. Cade Smith picked up the win, and the Guardians hung on to the final American League wild-card spot in front of 23,562. The math on our season is getting cruel: we've dropped to 4-15 since Aug. 14, sitting 64-77 and 10 games back in the AL Central. Game two of the doubleheader looms, with Andrew Sears facing Foster Griffin — 15-4 and an All-Star. We need to answer back fast.
Feel free to follow the link below to keep tabs on our Tigers as this doubleheader plays out.
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