The Detroit Tigers delivered a decisive blow in the winner-take-all Game 3 of the AL Wild Card Series, defeating the Cleveland Guardians 6-3 at Progressive Field to advance to the American League Division Series.
In a game that was tight through the middle innings, Detroit’s offense erupted in the late frames to secure the series victory. Catcher Dillon Dingler provided the initial spark, breaking a 1-1 tie in the sixth inning with a clutch two-out, solo home run off Guardians reliever Joey Cantillo.
The Tigers then put the game out of reach with a decisive four-run outburst in the seventh inning. Wenceel Pérez’s two-run single was the biggest hit in the frame, followed by RBI singles from Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene, as Detroit’s bats finally capitalized on scoring opportunities that had eluded them in the previous game.
Starting pitcher Jack Flaherty delivered 4.2 solid innings for the Tigers before the bullpen took over. The Guardians managed to plate two runs on an eighth-inning error, but Detroit’s lead proved too large to overcome. Closer Kyle Finnegan ultimately shut the door to seal the victory and send the Tigers on to face the Seattle Mariners in the ALDS.
