Detroit Tigers Defeat the Cleveland Guardians In Game 3 To Advance

The seventh inning was where this series turned from frustrating to euphoric for Detroit. After stranding runners like they were collecting trading cards all series long, the Tigers finally delivered with runners in scoring position. Javier Báez doubled to start the rally, then Parker Meadows laid down what should have been a routine sacrifice bunt. Instead, Cleveland’s defense crumbled, and both runners were safe. Suddenly, the floodgates opened.

Wenceel Pérez, batting third in A.J. Hinch’s bold lineup decision, ripped a two-run single to right field that felt like it carried the weight of the entire season. Spencer Torkelson followed with another RBI single. Riley Greene added his own run-scoring hit. In the span of five batters, a nail-biting 2-1 lead became a commanding 6-1 advantage.

Jack Flaherty Delivers Under Pressure

While Dingler grabbed the headlines, veteran Starter Jack Flaherty deserves credit for keeping Detroit in the game. The right-hander, who knows what October pressure feels like from his Dodgers days, allowed just one run over 4.2 innings while navigating traffic on the basepaths.

Flaherty wasn’t dominant—he scattered three hits and two walks—but he was effective when the Tigers needed him most. After George Valera doubled and Ramírez delivered the tying RBI in the fourth, Flaherty buckled down and prevented any additional damage.

From Collapse To Redemption

The storyline heading into this series couldn’t have been more dramatic. The Tigers held a 15.5-game lead over Cleveland at one point this season, then watched it shrink to 9.5 games in September before completely collapsing. They went from division leaders to wild card qualifiers, setting up this winner-take-all showdown with the team that passed them.

But sometimes sports script the perfect redemption story. The Tigers didn’t just beat Cleveland—they dominated when it mattered, outscoring them 8-4 over the final two games to take the series 2-1.

What’s Next For Detroit

The Tigers’ reward for exorcising their Guardians demons? A date with the Seattle Mariners in the ALDS, starting Saturday at T-Mobile Park. It won’t be easy—Detroit went 2-4 against Seattle during the regular season, and the Mariners boast MVP candidate Cal Raleigh behind the plate.

But this Tigers team has shown they thrive when backs are against the wall. After that brutal September collapse, they could have folded. Instead, they have responded with clutch hitting, solid pitching, and the kind of timely performances that define playoff baseball.

Dingler’s heroics joined Lance Parrish in Tigers lore, but more importantly, they kept this magical season alive. In a year that started with modest expectations, Detroit finds itself eight wins away from a World Series appearance. Not bad for a team that forgot how to win games just a month ago.