The Cleveland Guardians secured a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Detroit Tigers in Game 4 of their AL Division Series, setting up a decisive Game 5 showdown. Pinch-hitter David Fry emerged as the hero, delivering a crucial two-run homer in the seventh inning to give the Guardians the lead. Fry later executed a perfectly placed bunt in the ninth inning to add an insurance run.
This victory marked a significant milestone for Cleveland, as they ended a streak of 11 consecutive losses in postseason elimination games dating back to the 1997 World Series. The stage is now set for Game 5, which will take place in Cleveland with Tigers' ace Tarik Skubal scheduled to start.
The winner of Game 5 will advance to the ALCS to face either the New York Yankees or the Kansas City Royals, with the series set to begin on Monday. Despite being on the brink of elimination, the Tigers fought back valiantly in Game 4, with Zach McKinstry and Wenceel Pérez contributing key hits to keep their hopes alive.
Cleveland's Beau Brieske had been dominant on the mound, pitching 5 1/3 scoreless innings in the postseason before Fry's pivotal home run. Emmanuel Clase played a crucial role in preserving the lead, notably striking out Trey Sweeney with a blazing 100.9 mph cutter in a high-pressure situation.
Fry's heads-up bunt in the ninth inning proved to be the difference-maker, as it extended Cleveland's lead and ultimately secured the victory. The Tigers made a late push in the ninth inning, but Clase shut the door by striking out Matt Vierling to earn the save.
With Game 5 looming large, both teams will be looking to seize the moment and advance to the next round of the playoffs. The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to what has been a closely contested AL Division Series.
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