CLEVELAND (AP) — In a dramatic showdown, Brayan Rocchio delivered a stellar performance for the Cleveland Guardians, hitting a walk-off home run in the ninth inning to secure a 7-6 comeback victory over the Detroit Tigers during the first game of a split doubleheader on Friday. Rocchio's late-game heroics came after he had already tied the game with a grand slam in the fourth inning, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.
The Guardians' victory is significant as it keeps them firmly in the race for the final American League wild-card spot. After trailing 6-1 in the third inning, Cleveland rallied with six unanswered runs, demonstrating resilience and determination. Rocchio's ninth-inning homer off Drew Sommers (1-4) marked his third career walk-off home run, adding to the excitement of the game.
Rocchio's pivotal contributions began in the fourth inning when he hit a grand slam, bringing the Guardians back into contention. Before that, the Tigers had taken command of the game, extending their lead to 6-1 thanks to Spencer Torkelson's solo homer off Guardians pitcher Slade Cecconi. However, the Guardians responded with a five-run explosion in the fourth, which included an RBI single from Travis Bazzana and Rocchio's impressive grand slam that sailed 366 feet over the right-field fence.
On the mound, Cade Smith (4-1) pitched the ninth inning for Cleveland, earning the win as the Guardians secured their third victory in the last seven games of a critical homestand. In contrast, the Tigers have struggled recently, falling to a disappointing 4-15 record since August 14. Detroit's pitching woes were evident, as Keider Montero allowed six runs in four innings, while Logan Allen, making his first start since July 18, surrendered five runs in just 2 1/3 innings.
The Tigers' early offense was led by rookies Max Clark and Ben Malgeri, both of whom contributed two-run singles in the first inning. Gleyber Torres also had a strong start, recording two singles and scoring twice in the first two innings. Despite their early lead, the Tigers could not hold on as the Guardians mounted their comeback.
The game faced a slight delay of 1 hour and 4 minutes due to rain, but once it resumed, the Guardians showcased their fighting spirit. Looking ahead, the teams will face off again in the second game of the doubleheader, with Tigers left-hander Andrew Sears (0-1, 6.75 ERA) set to take on Guardians left-hander Foster Griffin (15-4, 3.21), who has been a standout performer for Cleveland this season.
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