Tough Loss for the Tigers in Cleveland 
Last night’s game against the Cleveland Guardians was a nail-biter, but unfortunately, our Tigers couldn’t pull off the win. Let’s break down the key moments and performances that led to the final score of 2-1 in favor of the Guardians.Hot Start in the 1st Inning 
Things started on a high note for us when Matt Vierling sent one yard to right field for a solo homer, giving us an early 1-0 lead. It was a sweet 351-footer that got us all excited! 
Colt Keith and Wenceel Perez both had quick outs, but Vierling’s home run was a great way to kick things off.Defense Held Strong 
Our pitchers were solid in the early innings. The Guardians couldn’t get anything going against our guys through the first four innings. Angel Martinez did manage a single in the fourth, but it was neutralized quickly as our defense held strong. Meanwhile, our bats cooled off a bit after that sparkling start. Tough Middle Innings 
The Guardians found their way in the 5th inning. Bo Naylor managed to draw a walk and quickly made it into scoring position. Steven Kwan then drove him in with a single. A passed ball earlier let Bo Naylor get to second, making it easier for Kwan to tie the game at 1-1.Pitching Battles 
The next few innings were a classic pitching duel. The Guardians switched pitchers frequently, bringing in fresh arms, while our bullpen also did a good job of keeping their bats at bay. Jason Foley, Andrew Chafin, and Beau Brieske all did their jobs well, holding the Guardians scoreless through the 6th and 7th innings.8th Inning Heartbreaker 
The bottom of the 8th was where things took a turn. Bo Naylor once again made things happen for the Guardians, drawing a walk and stealing second. Josh Naylor then singled, allowing Bo Naylor to score. That gave the Guardians a 2-1 lead. Despite an intentional walk to Jose Ramirez, we couldn’t get the final out without letting that crucial run cross the plate.Final Push Falls Short 
Heading into the top of the 9th, we were looking for some late-inning magic. But Emmanuel Clase, the Guardians' closer, made things tough. Javier Baez grounded out, Wenceel Perez struck out looking, and though Colt Keith drew a walk to give us a glimmer of hope, Matt Vierling hit into a fielder’s choice to end the game.Final Thoughts 
It was a disappointing loss, but there were some bright spots. Matt Vierling’s homer was a highlight, and our pitchers largely did their jobs. We’ve got to find a way to build off these small victories and carry that momentum into the next game.Keep your heads up, Tigers fans! We'll get them next time!
Scoreboard for Tigers @ Guardians (July 24th, 2024)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |