Kerry Carpenter took one swing and stunned baseball’s top closer.
Carpenter hit a three-run homer off Cleveland’s Emmanuel Clase with two outs and two strikes in the ninth inning, leading the Detroit Tigers to a thrilling 3-0 victory over the Guardians in Game 2 on Monday night, tying the AL Division Series at one game each.
After Jake Rogers and Trey Sweeney got hits off the usually unbeatable Clase, Carpenter launched a 2-2 pitch from the right-hander 423 feet into the right-field stands.
This moment in October could define a player, and Carpenter recognized the significance of doing it against Clase.
“It is special because I don’t know how many runs or home runs he’s given up this year,” Carpenter said. “It’s pretty fun to be a part of this and to do it off of him is special, because he’s literally the best closer in the game.”
Carpenter became the first player to hit a two-out, two-strike homer in the ninth inning since Kirk Gibson’s famous shot off Dennis Eckersley in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.
He is the third Detroit player to hit a go-ahead homer in the ninth inning or later in the playoffs, joining Magglio Ordóñez (2006) and Hall of Famer Al Kaline (1972).
As Carpenter rounded the bases, his helmet flew off between first and second base. When he got to third, he high-fived coach Joey Cora before reaching home and raising both arms in celebration.
From there, it was hugs and high-fives in Detroit’s excited dugout.
This was just the third homer allowed this season by Clase, who led the AL with 47 saves. The right-hander gave up only five earned runs in 74 games all season.
“We’re talking about one of the greatest seasons of all time,” Guardians catcher Austin Hedges said. “Guys don’t even get on base against him.”
