guardians tack on 5 late to force a game 3
PROGRESSIVE FIELD– The Cleveland Guardians take Game 2 of the AL WC series. After blowing a possible opportunity to come back late in yesterday’s game, the Guardians fight back and win in epic fashion.
A very slow start to the game as the Guardians scored their first run in the first inning, and proceeded to not score until the eighth inning where their bats were blazing!
George Valera started things off in the first inning with a 411 foot BOMB to center field. This homerun was a much needed momentum swing for the Guardians after yesterday’s loss, where they completely blundered and didn’t score Jose Ramirez from 3rd base in the last inning with no outs… Yikes.
"Our backs have been against the wall for three months. What's one more day?" "We're going to bounce back. We've done it all year. We love having our backs against the wall. We'll come out ready and hungry tomorrow and ready to take one"
- Manager, Stephen Vogt, after yesterday’s game 1 loss
After Valera’s homerun, there were crickets. Until Javy Baez singled up the middle in the fourth to tie up the game and possibly give the go-ahead run. Until the call was overturned and McKinstry was tagged out at third before the second run came across home plate.
As we headed to the 7th, the Tigers started to string together some base runners. Gleybar Torres was hit by a pitch, followed by a Kerry Carpenter single. First and third no outs, and yet again the Tigers with a chance to put the game to rest they fold under pressure. Spencer Torkleson flew out to shallow left-field and Torres did not challenge Kwan’s arm. The Guardians went to the bullpen and threw in reliever Tim Herrin, who came in DEALING! Two strikeouts back to back. Jahmai Jones came in to pinch hit for Riley Greene and struck out with a man on third and less than two outs. Following Jones’s strikeout, Herrin went right after Wenceel Perez striking him out on 7 pitches.
Still, the bats were very quiet for the Guardians who still have yet to score since the first inning. That all changed in the eighth inning, a one out homer from Brayan Rocchio to make it 2-1 Guardians. Here come the Guardians, Kwan doubles in the next at bat followed by a consecutive double by Daniel Schneemann making it 3-1 Guardians. The Tigers elected to intentionally walk Jose Ramirez and face off against a struggling Kyle Manzardo who grounded out. But in comes Bo Naylor with a chance to put the game to rest and knot the series up… On the 7th pitch of the at-bat Naylor nails the ball out of the park for a 3 run shot putting the Guardians up 6-1 headed into the top of the 9th.
The Guardians make a statement in the 8th and prove they are worthy of competing for a World Series title. They hit three homer runs, and their relievers were near perfect tossing 4.1 scoreless innings.
For Detroit it was a historically bad day at the plate… They left 15 men on base, which would make it a franchise playoff record for them. They went 1-15 with runners in scoring position…
Tomorrow, win or go home for the Tigers and Guardians.
Jack Flaherty will start the game, he posted an 8-15 record with a 4.64 ERA for the Tigers. Cecconi will start for the Guardians who posted a 7-7 record with a 4.30 ERA.
Where to Watch:
AL WC Game 3
Time: 1:08 pm EST
Date: Thursday, October 2nd 2025
Tv Network: ESPN
Location: Progressive Field, Cleveland Ohio
Cameron Williams
DiSportsPhotoAgency
Senior Writer
