The Detroit Tigers suffered their fourth consecutive loss, falling 6-4 to the Cleveland Guardians in the second of a three-game series at Comerica Park on Wednesday, Aug. 12.
The Tigers had a chance to reach a .500 record for the first time in months, but ultimately fell short.
The Guardians got to Tigers left-handed starter Framber Valdez, who struggled with command, issuing five walks in 5⅔ innings. Valdez allowed four runs on six hits and five walks, falling to 7-8 with a 4.26 ERA. He threw just 64 strikes in 102 pitches.
The Tigers answered Cleveland's two-run first inning with three straight runs to jump ahead, but the bats went quiet until too late. Jo Adell hit the decisive two-run home run off Valdez in the fifth inning, giving the Guardians a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
The Tigers pulled one run back with Kevin McGonigle scoring on a wild pitch with two outs in the eighth, but Guardians closer Cade Smith struck out center fielder Max Clark in a 12-pitch battle to end the threat.
The loss drops the Tigers to 59-61, tying them with the Minnesota Twins in the standings. They are 2½ games behind the Chicago White Sox in the AL Central and one game behind the Texas Rangers in the wild-card race.
The Tigers also suffered a significant blow on the injury front, as All-Star Riley Greene was placed on the injured list with a hamstring injury.
The series finale between the Tigers and Guardians is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13. Tigers right-handed starter Keider Montero (8-7, 3.38 ERA) is scheduled to face Guardians left-hander Parker Messick (9-6, 2.57 ERA).
Source: Yahoo Sports