The Cleveland Guardians outlasted the Detroit Tigers 7-5 in a 10-inning thriller on May 24, 2025, at Comerica Park. Kyle Manzardo and Angel MartÃnez delivered clutch RBI doubles in a four-run 10th inning, while Bo Naylor powered the offense with a home run and two RBIs. Tim Herrin picked up the win with a scoreless ninth inning before Emmanuel Clase closed out the victory despite Gleyber Torres’ late two-run double for Detroit.
Important Note: There was no Cleveland Guardians vs Detroit Tigers game on May 4, 2025. The Guardians faced the Toronto Blue Jays that day, winning 5-4. The game covered in this article is from May 24, 2025, which featured an exciting extra-inning battle between these AL Central rivals.
Table of contents
- Complete Batting Statistics
- Pitching Battle Breakdown
- Key Offensive Moments
- Advanced Performance Metrics
- Defensive Highlights and Errors
- Bullpen Management: A Tale of Two Strategies
- Historical Context: AL Central Rivalry
- Looking Ahead: Series Implications
- Player of the Game Analysis
- Statistical Takeaways
- Final Thoughts
Complete Batting Statistics
Cleveland Guardians Offensive Performance
| Player | Position | AB | R | H | RBI | HR | BB | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steven Kwan | LF | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Season: .333 |
| Lane Thomas | RF | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – |
| José RamÃrez | 3B | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Season: .265 |
| Kyle Manzardo | 1B | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Season: .219 |
| Carlos Santana | DH | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | – |
| David Schneemann | 2B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| Bo Naylor | C | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | Season: .184 |
| Angel MartÃnez | CF | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Season: .324 |
| Gabriel Arias | SS | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| Nolan Jones | PH | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – |
Detroit Tigers Offensive Performance
| Player | Position | AB | R | H | RBI | HR | BB | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justyn-Henry Malloy | CF | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| Zach McKinstry | 2B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | – |
| Kerry Carpenter | DH | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| Gleyber Torres | 3B | 5 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Season: .270 |
| Colt Keith | SS | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – |
| Riley Greene | LF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| Spencer Torkelson | 1B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| Matt Vierling | RF | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | – |
| Jake Rogers | C | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
Pitching Battle Breakdown
Cleveland Guardians Pitching Stats
| Pitcher | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | Pitches-Strikes | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luis Ortiz | 4.2 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 87-53 | No Decision |
| Matt Festa | 0.2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – |
| Joey Cantillo | 0.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | – | – |
| Cade Smith | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | – | – |
| Tim Herrin | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | – | Win (4-1) |
| Emmanuel Clase | 2.0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | – | Save |
Detroit Tigers Pitching Stats
| Pitcher | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | Pitches-Strikes | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casey Mize | 5.0 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 77-53 | No Decision |
| Beau Hurter | 1.2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 24-15 | – |
| Tommy Kahnle | 1.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 22-16 | – |
| Will Vest | 0.2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11-8 | – |
| Brenan Hanifee | 0.1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 24-14 | Loss (2-2) |
Key Offensive Moments
The game started with Detroit jumping to an early 3-0 lead after one inning. Kerry Carpenter doubled to deep center in the first inning off Luis Ortiz, setting the tone for what would become a back-and-forth affair.
Bo Naylor’s home run in the seventh inning proved crucial, keeping Cleveland within striking distance. The blast came off Beau Hurter and tied the game at 3-3, shifting momentum back to the visitors.
José RamÃrez extended his hitting streak to 17 games with a third-inning single, demonstrating his consistency at the plate throughout the series. His ability to reach base kept pressure on the Tigers’ pitching staff all night.
In the decisive 10th inning, Kyle Manzardo led off with an RBI double off Brenan Hanifee, giving Cleveland their first lead of the night at 4-3. After Carlos Santana walked, Angel MartÃnez followed with another RBI double to make it 5-3.
Nolan Jones added insurance with an RBI single, extending the lead to 7-3. While Gleyber Torres answered back with a two-run double in the bottom of the 10th, Emmanuel Clase recorded two crucial outs to seal the victory.
Advanced Performance Metrics
Pitching Efficiency Comparison
Ground Ball to Fly Ball Ratios:
Cleveland Pitchers:
- Luis Ortiz: Ground balls dominated his outing
- Cade Smith: 4 batters faced, efficient strike throwing
- Emmanuel Clase: 5 batters faced in the save situation
Detroit Pitchers:
- Casey Mize: 6 ground balls, 4 fly balls (6-4 ratio)
- Beau Hurter: 1-1 ground ball to fly ball ratio
- Tommy Kahnle: 2-0 ground ball to fly ball ratio
- Will Vest: 3-1 ground ball to fly ball ratio
Clutch Hitting Situations
Runners Left in Scoring Position (2 Outs):
Cleveland: Kyle Manzardo, Gabriel Arias, Bo Naylor, Nolan Jones stranded multiple runners, but the team delivered when it mattered most in the 10th.
Detroit: Riley Greene and Matt Vierling left runners on base in key situations, with Vierling leaving two runners stranded with two outs.
Defensive Highlights and Errors
David Schneemann recorded a stolen base for Cleveland, showcasing aggressive baserunning that kept Detroit’s defense on edge throughout the contest.
Zach McKinstry committed an error for Detroit, one of the few defensive miscues in an otherwise tightly played game. The error extended an inning but didn’t directly lead to runs.
Both teams featured strong outfield defense with assists from Justyn-Henry Malloy and Josh Noel, preventing extra bases on several occasions.
Bullpen Management: A Tale of Two Strategies
Cleveland’s bullpen strategy proved superior in this contest. Manager Stephen Vogt utilized six pitchers, mixing and matching to keep Detroit’s hitters off balance. Tim Herrin came in for the ninth inning and shut down the Tigers, earning the win. Emmanuel Clase then navigated a tense 10th inning, allowing two runs but recording the save.
Detroit manager A.J. Hinch deployed five relievers after Casey Mize’s solid five-inning start. The bullpen held strong through eight innings, with Tommy Kahnle particularly effective by retiring Cleveland’s heart of the order. However, Brenan Hanifee couldn’t escape the 10th inning, allowing four runs and taking the loss.
The key difference came in high-leverage situations. While Detroit’s relievers recorded outs early, they couldn’t navigate the extra frame when it mattered most.
Historical Context: AL Central Rivalry
This victory marked Cleveland’s third consecutive win over Detroit in the series. The Guardians entered the game having lost seven of their previous 10 contests, making this series sweep particularly meaningful for their playoff aspirations.
According to MLB.com, the Tigers hadn’t lost three straight games since the opening series of the season, making this defeat especially frustrating for a team that had been hot coming into this matchup.
The back-and-forth nature of this game exemplified the competitive balance in the AL Central division. With both teams jockeying for playoff position, every game carried significant weight in the standings.
Looking Ahead: Series Implications
The four-game series concluded on Sunday, May 25, 2025, with Detroit ace Tarik Skubal (4-2, 2.87 ERA at the time) scheduled to face Logan Allen (2-2, 3.86) in an 11:35 a.m. EDT matinee. The Tigers aimed to avoid a four-game sweep and salvage the series finale.
For Cleveland, the three-game winning streak provided crucial momentum heading into the final game. The Guardians demonstrated resilience by overcoming an early deficit, a characteristic that would prove essential for any team with postseason ambitions.
Detroit’s pitching staff needed to regroup after allowing 19 runs across the first three games of the series. The Tigers’ offensive output remained solid, but the inability to shut down Cleveland’s lineup in crucial moments proved costly.
Player of the Game Analysis
Bo Naylor emerged as Cleveland’s standout performer. His home run tied the game in the seventh inning, and his sacrifice fly in the 10th inning provided insurance runs. With two RBIs and two runs scored, Naylor delivered in high-pressure situations when his team needed production most.
Kyle Manzardo deserves recognition for his clutch 10th-inning double that gave Cleveland their first lead. His ability to come through with runners in scoring position demonstrated maturity and poise in a critical moment.
For Detroit, Gleyber Torres provided consistent offense with three hits and two RBIs. His two-run double in the 10th inning nearly sparked a comeback, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the four-run deficit.
Statistical Takeaways
The game featured 14 combined hits, with Cleveland recording nine and Detroit managing seven. Neither team hit particularly well with runners in scoring position, but Cleveland’s ability to cluster hits in the 10th inning proved decisive.
Cleveland’s pitching staff struck out eight batters while walking three. Detroit’s staff recorded 10 strikeouts but issued three walks, with Hanifee’s walk to Carlos Santana in the 10th inning preceding the crucial hit parade.
The attendance of 37,256 at Comerica Park witnessed a marathon contest lasting 2 hours and 57 minutes, with FOX carrying the broadcast nationally.
Final Thoughts
This cleveland guardians vs detroit tigers match player stats showcase demonstrated playoff-intensity baseball in late May. The extra-inning drama, clutch hitting, and strategic bullpen management all combined to produce a memorable contest between AL Central rivals.
Cleveland’s ability to overcome an early three-run deficit showed championship character. Detroit’s competitive effort despite the loss reinforced why these teams were among the division’s elite. For fans tracking detailed matchup information and historical game data, resources like MatchVsPlayerStats.com provide comprehensive coverage of head-to-head battles throughout the season.
As the 2025 season progressed, both teams would look back at this series as a potential turning point. Cleveland gained valuable momentum and confidence, while Detroit learned valuable lessons about finishing close games. In the competitive AL Central, these head-to-head matchups often determined playoff seeding and postseason fates.
The performance metrics, individual player contributions, and strategic decisions all factored into this captivating 7-5 extra-inning victory for Cleveland. For baseball purists and statistics enthusiasts alike, this game provided everything fans love about the sport: drama, clutch performances, and competitive excellence from two talented rosters.
