The Cleveland Guardians' offense woke up in a major way, and just in time.
After going seven innings with just one run on two hits, the Guardians scored five runs in the eighth inning on four extra-base hits – including two home runs – to beat the Detroit Tigers 6-1.
The win keeps them alive in this American League Wild Card Series and sets up a winner-take-all Game 3 on Thursday, Oct. 2 at Cleveland's Progressive Field. That winner will fly to Seattle to take on the AL West-winning Mariners in the American League Division Series beginning Saturday.
The Guardians game-decisive inning started with a one-out solo homer by Brayan Rocchio off Tigers reliever Troy Melton. Steven Kwan followed with a double and scored on Daniel Schneemann's double one batter later. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch went to the bullpen to get Brant Hurter, who intentionally walked Jose Ramirez before getting Kyle Manzardo to ground out to second base. Then Bo Naylor hit a back-breaking three-run homer.
"For our guys to explode like that and kind of get some separation felt really good," Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said.
