Following a split in the National League Division Series where both teams are tied at a game each, the American League wild-card teams aimed for road victories in Game 2 on Monday, hoping to square their series and return home for Game 3 with a home-field advantage.
In the day’s first matchup, the Detroit Tigers deployed their AL Cy Young frontrunner, Tarik Skubal, to pitch against the Guardians in Cleveland. The 27-year-old turned in another exceptional performance, hurling seven scoreless innings. However, the Guardians’ pitchers held up equally well, matching Skubal’s shutout. The game remained scoreless until Kerry Carpenter capitalized off All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase, smashing a three-run homer in the ninth to clinch the victory. The series is now level at 1-1 as it transitions to Detroit.
In the evening game, the Kansas City Royals evened things up in the Bronx with a 4-2 triumph over the Yankees. Salvador Perez spearheaded the effort with a solo homer, contributing to three additional RBI singles that secured the win for Kansas City against a Yankees lineup struggling to generate offense. The Royals now head back home tied at 1-1 for Game 3.
Royals 4, Yankees 2
The Royals surged to a 4-2 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 2 of their ALDS, fueled by a four-run fourth inning that started with a Salvador Perez homer. The series is now tied at 1-1 as it heads to Kansas City later this week.
After Perez’s homer evened the score at 1-1, the Royals followed with RBI singles from Tommy Pham, Garrett Hampson, and Maikel Garcia, breaking open the game.
The Yankees were unable to respond effectively. Reliever Angel Zerpa helped the Royals escape the fifth inning despite allowing Aaron Judge to reach base, and the Yankees managed only one hit in their next seven at-bats.
Although the Yankees managed to score a run in the ninth with a Jazz Chisholm homer and brought the tying run to the plate with two outs, their late rally fell short. The Royals secured their two-run victory, officially leveling the series at 1-1. The ALDS will move to Kansas City for Game 3 on Wednesday.
Tigers 3, Guardians 0
Kerry Carpenter’s three-run homer in the top of the ninth off All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase propelled the Detroit Tigers to a 3-0 win against the Cleveland Guardians in Game 2 of their ALDS.
This season, Clase had surrendered only two home runs and boasted a 0.61 ERA, performance that sparked discussions about his candidacy for the American League Cy Young Award.
However, the Tigers have their own contender in Tarik Skubal, the likely award winner. Skubal, who has claimed the AL Triple Crown, pitched seven scoreless innings in this game, allowing just three hits while striking out eight batters. He did not yield a hit until Josh Naylor opened the fifth inning with a double.
Detroit struggled to score through eight innings, putting Skubal’s outstanding performance at risk. Their best scoring opportunity was thwarted when Steven Kwan executed a spectacular diving catch to end the eighth.
Cleveland’s Matthew Boyd started strong
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Mid-8: Royals 4, Yankees 1
Tommy Kahnle took the mound for the Yankees in the eighth inning, successfully navigating the frame with two strikeouts and a flyout from Yuli Gurriel.
For the Yankees, it’s essential to make a strategic move in the bottom of this inning to remain competitive.</p“`html
