Tigers Hand Guardians Eighth Straight Loss with Key Homers

Wenceel Pérez and Zach McKinstry powered the Detroit Tigers to a 2-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Friday night, marking the Guardians' eighth consecutive loss.

José Ramírez provided a glimmer of hope for Cleveland, hitting a home run, but the team is now facing its longest losing streak since a nine-game skid in 2021.

Tyler Holton secured the win for Detroit, pitching 2 2/3 innings of one-hit ball, improving his record to 4-3. Will Vest notched his 14th save of the season, closing out the game after 1 1/3 innings.

In a tense ninth inning, Steven Kwan's two-out double down the left-field line gave the Guardians a chance, but Kyle Manzardo's grounder to Vest sealed the game.

Reese Olson made his return to the mound for Detroit after nearly seven weeks sidelined by right ring finger inflammation. He allowed just one run on six hits over 4 1/3 innings.

Pérez tied the game in the third inning with a center-field drive off Cleveland starter Slade Cecconi (3-4). McKinstry then put the Tigers ahead in the fourth with a curveball homer over the right-center wall, marking his second go-ahead shot of the season.

Ramírez ended a 0-for-21 slump with a powerful 94.8 mph fastball from Olson that sailed into the right field stands, marking his 14th home run of the season and his first since June 14.

Cecconi pitched six innings, throwing a career-high 105 pitches while allowing six hits and striking out five batters.

In a critical moment during the eighth inning, Cleveland loaded the bases with two outs, but Daniel Schneemann grounded out to second baseman Gleyber Torres on the first pitch, ending their threat.

The Tigers, leading the AL Central, are now 6-0 this season when McKinstry hits a home run.

Looking ahead, RHP Casey Mize (8-2, 2.86 ERA) is set to take the mound for Detroit against Cleveland's LHP Logan Allen (5-6, 4.27).