Matt Vierling hit a home run and drove in three runs as the Detroit Tigers secured a 5-4 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday night.
Reese Olson (4-8) continued his strong form, winning his third game in five starts with a 2.40 ERA during that stretch. He pitched six innings, allowing three runs on six hits, as Detroit won for the fifth time in their last six games.
The Tigers held a 5-3 lead heading into the ninth inning. However, Alex Faedo, in relief, walked two batters and threw a wild pitch, putting the tying run in scoring position.
Andrés Giménez narrowed the gap to 5-4 with a sacrifice fly, advancing Gabriel Arias to third base. Jason Foley replaced Faedo and induced Tyler Freeman to ground out to first. During a prolonged rundown, Gio Urshela threw out Arias at home plate while Freeman advanced to second.
“We instructed Gabe to run on contact and instructed him to stay in the rundown long enough for (Freeman) to get into scoring position,” explained Guardians manager Stephen Vogt. “He executed it perfectly.”
The rundown required the Tigers to make five throws before securing the out.
“We probably made a few more throws than we would have liked,” noted Vierling, who eventually applied the tag. “It got a bit tense, but we got the out.”
After intentionally walking Brayan Rocchio, Foley’s wild pitch advanced the runners to second and third base before he retired Austin Hedges on a groundout to secure his 15th save of the season.
“We picked the hitter we wanted to face, but we didn’t plan for the second pitch to get past the catcher,” commented Tigers manager A.J. Hinch. “It’s a win, and you can never be upset about that.”
Tanner Bibee (7-4) started for the Guardians, allowing four runs on five hits over seven innings. He struggled against the Tigers this season, now winless with a 0-3 record and a 6.98 ERA in four starts against them.
“I’m disappointed that it took me three innings to adjust,” said Bibee. “I just didn’t perform well out there.”
