The Guardians came into Monday鈥檚 American League Division Series Game 2 with thoughts of taking a commanding lead and momentum with them on their way to Detroit for Game 3.
Unfortunately, after a long defensive brawl, the Tigers broke out in the ninth inning tying the series at one game apiece.
As it was in game one on Saturday, the crowd had a strong representation from Detroit Tigers fans, and orange shirts and dark blue Tigers hats could be seem speckling the sold out stadium.
Jennifer Christiansen, an Ohio State grad from Wapakoneta, Ohio, who now lives in Detroit, came with a group of seven from the Motor City.
"I'm already going on Wednesday, definitely Thursday. Skubal's pitching today (referring to the Tiger's Tarik Skubil), so I'm hoping we can get a good win with our best pitcher," said Christiansen.
She may have fond memories of Ohio, but she came to root for the Tigers.
"I love Cleveland, I think Cleveland's wonderful. It's amazing being from Ohio and living in Michigan. When I come back I feel like I'm at home," said Christiansen.
Guardians fan James Kish kept it simple when describing the scenario before the game started.
鈥淲e鈥檙e gonna slay the Tigers, whoever鈥檚 going to the next round, we鈥檙e gonna slay them, whoever wins the NL, we鈥檙e gonna slay them,鈥� said Kish. 鈥淟et鈥檚 go Guardians, let鈥檚 go Cleveland, let鈥檚 defend the land!鈥�
A group of Tigers fans who declined to give their names went into the game with high hopes about how Skubal, the American League Cy Young contender, would fare in the contest.
鈥淵ou know what鈥檚 coming, seven innings of Skubal. You might get a hit, but you not getting past first base,鈥� said one Detroit fan wearing an orange Tigers hat. His friend was less concerned about the specifics and more concerned with maligning Cleveland鈥檚 fan base.
鈥淚f I was in Detroit right now, there would be twice as many people here. They would be going crazy. This is lame,鈥� he said dismissively. 鈥淢ichigan, it鈥檚 where it鈥檚 at. This is a different country!鈥�
Those Tigers fans鈥� words would prove prophetic as Skubal proceded to stifle Guardians batters all day long.
Almost from the start of the game it was clear the Guardians would have a tougher time than they did in game one, when they started with a 5-0 first inning lead and never looked back. Skubal retired the Guardians first inning batters with ease. Meanwhile, the Tigers were getting on base, though Cleveland starter Matthew Boyd continually dodged trouble early. Boyd gave way to Cleveland鈥檚 vaunted bullpen, including Chase Smith who stayed nearly perfect from the mound, keeping the constantly threatening Tigers off the scoreboard until the final inning.
Nick Catania and Jason Gelsey are friends and business partners who were on opposite sides of the game. Gelsey lives in Philadelphia but is from Detroit and was excited by the prospect of the Tigers headed back to Detroit with the series tied.
鈥淚 haven鈥檛 seen a Tigers postseason game in years, And we鈥檙e here now enjoying the game together,鈥� said Gelsey. 鈥淏een a Detroit fan at heart my entire life. We need to bring this back to the city at one and one and then see Game 3 back in Detroit.鈥�
A sellout crowd of 33,650 watched a defensive showdown as Skubal dominated the Guardians batters for seven innings. Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo nearly got things going for the Guardians, but he was deprived of a home run by an against-the-wall grab for the third out to end the eighth inning.
Emmanual Clase has been representative of the Guardians strong bullpen pitching this season, posting more saves in a single season than any Cleveland pitcher before him. But on Monday night he did not have the same magic. With two outs and two runners on base, Clase gave up a three-run home run to Tigers designated hitter Kerry Carpenter.
The Guardians were unable to pull out any late-game miracles as the Tigers held on for 3-0 victory, sending the series back to Detroit for game three on Wednesday with the momentum shifted.
Sifat Shahjahan came to the game with his friend Zawad Hossain. They weren鈥檛 surprised by the outcome, but they remain optimistic.
鈥淭hey were favored to win this game by a little bit, so it鈥檚 not a surprise,鈥� said Shahajahan.
鈥淢an you know, it was just a long one, obviously Detroit got a lucky one. We still have a long way to go. Hopefully we can turn this around鈥︹�� said Hossain.
The two plan to come to Game 5 at Progressive Field if the series makes it that far. Game 3 of the American League Division Series is on Wednesday in Detroit.
