Cleveland Guardians third base Jose Ramírez (11) and first base Kyle Manzardo (9) score on a double hit by first base Carlos Santana (41). David Reginek-Imagn Images

Guardians prove themselves in win over division-leading Tigers

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated May 22, 2025 11:33 PM ET

Still looking up at the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central standings, the Cleveland Guardians made a statement on Thursday. The Guardians took Game 1 of their four-game series with the Tigers in convincing fashion.

Cleveland's 7-0 win included four insurance runs in the top of the ninth inning, crushing Detroit's hope of mounting a comeback before even stepping up to the plate.

Carlos Santana, who had homered in back-to-back games entering the day, stayed hot even though he didn't hit a ball out of the ballpark. Santana drove in two runs with a double in the fourth. He went 1-for-2 with two walks and a run scored in addition to his two-run double.

But as Santana's home run streak came to an end, unlikely slugger center fielder Angel Martinez went yard for only the second time all year. He smacked the only home run of the game in the fifth, sending a pitch over the right field fence.

Angel Martínez sends one out through the rain ️ pic.twitter.com/9cTisemcCA
— MLB (@MLB) May 22, 2025

For his best offensive game of the season, Martinez recorded two hits and three RBI in the game.

To fully paint the picture of Cleveland's total team win, Tanner Bibee pitched a seven-inning shutout for his fourth win. Bibee overpowered the Tigers most of the night, striking out eight and only allowing three hits.

Bibee's gem provided him a bounce-back outing after getting shelled for five runs off 10 hits in a loss to the Cincinnati Reds on May 16.

For another notable performance, Cade Smith even struck out the side as he sent every batter he faced back to the dugout in his one inning of relief work.

Believable because it's Cade Smith.#GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/DB8y144NHs
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) May 23, 2025

The Guardians' victory over Detroit comes after beating the Twins the day before, giving Cleveland consecutive wins over division opponents.

Cleveland is now 27-22 and sitting five games behind the Tigers and in a tie with Minnesota, providing an opportunity to make some major noise with three more games against the Tigers in their series.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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