The Detroit Tigers picked up a 4-3 victory Tuesday afternoon over the Cleveland Guardians thanks to a walk-off home run from right fielder Kerry Carpenter. It was the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader.
The Guardians took an early 3-1 lead in the top of the fourth inning, after Josh Bell doubled home Jose Ramirez, and Oscar Gonzalez launched a two-run homer scoring Bell.
The Tigers battled back in the bottom of the fifth, when a single from Javier Baez brought home a run, and Carpenter doubled off Guardians starting pitcher Hunter Gaddis to tie the game at 3-3.
Then, in the bottom of the ninth, Caprenter launched a walk-off home run off Guardians reliever James Karinchak, as Cleveland's bullpen continues to struggle.
Karinchak, who was exceptional last season, picked up his third loss of the season Tuesday. Carpenter's blast raised Karinchak's 2023 ERA to 5.00.
Later in the day, the Tigers would defeat the Guardians 1-0, sweeping Tuesday's doubleheader.
With a pair of victories Tuesday, the Tigers improve to 7-9 on the season. The club has now won five straight, to make up for a six-game losing streak. Detroit swept the San Francisco Giants over the weekend, and will wrap-up their three-game series with the Guardians Wednesday afternoon. Detroit will travel to Baltimore for a three-game series this weekend, beginning on Friday.
After getting off to a strong start, the Guardians now find themselves back at .500, standing at 9-9. After wrapping up this week's series in Detroit, the Guardians will return home to host the Miami Marlins for three games, beginning Friday.
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