The Tigers came into their series against the Guardians with the chance to clinch the AL Central. It would've taken a sweep, and the Tigers were coming off of a series loss against the Marlins, but there would be no bigger statement than knocking the hot Guardians down a peg and clinching in their home ballpark against a division rival.
But the Tigers' extra-innings loss on Tuesday night means that they'll have to wait until at least the first game of their home series against the Braves on Friday.
After a heroic pinch-hit, two-out home run in the bottom of the ninth from Kerry Carpenter, the Tigers went into extras with Will Vest, arguably Detroit's most trustworthy reliever, on the mound.