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    Kerry Carpenter's Clutch HR Off Clase Stuns MLB Fans as Tigers Win G2 vs. Guardians

    Andrew PetersOctober 7, 2024

    CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 07: Kerry Carpenter #30 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates after hitting a home run in the ninth inning against the Cleveland Guardians during Game Two of the Division Series at Progressive Field on October 07, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
    Jason Miller/Getty Images

    The Detroit Tigers evened the American League Division Series with a 3-0 win over the Cleveland Guardians on Monday.

    It was a pitcher's duel for most of the game with neither team getting on the board through eight innings, but that changed in the top of the ninth.

    With two outs, Detroit catcher Jake Rodgers hit a single to left field to get on base and Trey Sweeney sent him to third with a single of his own. Kerry Carpenter delivered as the hero, hitting a three-run homer off of Emmanuel Clase to right field to give the Tigers a three-run cushion.

    MLB @MLB

    Oh, I leave quite an impression<br><br>423 feet to be exact! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ALDS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ALDS</a> <a href="https://t.co/yq6k6Fvss1">pic.twitter.com/yq6k6Fvss1</a>

    In the bottom of the ninth, Tigers' reliever Beau Brieske set the Guardians down in order to seal the victory.

    After the win, fans praised Carpenter for stepping up against one of the best closers in the majors and delivering the homer.

    Zack Meisel @ZackMeisel

    That's the first three-run homer Emmanuel Clase has ever allowed in the big leagues.

    Kerry Carpenter's Clutch HR Off Clase Stuns MLB Fans as Tigers Win G2 vs. Guardians
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    Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN

    Kerry Carpenter: The first home run by a left-handed hitter against Emmanuel Clase this year.

    Detroit Tigers @tigers

    KERRY CARPENTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Natalie Kerwin @NatalieKerwin1

    KERRY CARPENTER 3-RUN BOMB <a href="https://t.co/4lK1mQYrP9">pic.twitter.com/4lK1mQYrP9</a>

    Sarah Langs @SlangsOnSports

    go-ahead HR in 9th inning or later, Tigers postseason history:<br><br>2024 ALDS G2 Kerry Carpenter<br>2006 ALCS G4 Magglio Ordóñez<br>1972 ALCS G1 Al Kaline <a href="https://t.co/MexBY8ppHx">https://t.co/MexBY8ppHx</a>

    Mike Golic Jr @mikegolicjr

    Kerry Carpenter absolutely ANNIHILATED that baseball. dear GOD.

    Jayson Stark @jaysonst

    Emmanuel Clase: 3 ER allowed in Cleveland all season!<br><br>Then 3 on just this one swing by Kerry Carpenter <br><br>Wow <a href="https://t.co/UQMuGmAUUw">https://t.co/UQMuGmAUUw</a>

    Jason Beck @beckjason

    Kerry Carpenter's go-ahead 3-run HR is Tigers' first go-ahead HR in 9th inning or later in a postseason game since Magglio Ordonez sent them to World Series in 2006 with his walkoff HR in ALCS.

    Alex Fast @AlexFast8

    That ball was 110.8 mph off the bat of Kerry Carpenter.<br><br>That's the hardest hit ball Emmanuel Clase has given up IN HIS ENTIRE CAREER.

    Aram Leighton @AramLeighton8

    I don't care about lefty splits, Kerry Carpenter needs to be in the lineup EVERY SINGLE GAME

    Matt in Wixom ⬆️ @MattyB187

    Hi my name is Kerry Carpenter, at home they call me Kerry Bonds, and I hit dingers!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tigers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Tigers</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ALDS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ALDS</a> <a href="https://t.co/MXeaf8vbwI">pic.twitter.com/MXeaf8vbwI</a>

    Before Monday's matchup, Clase had allowed just five runs and two homers in 74.2 innings this season. He had also never given up a three-run homer in his entire career. That didn't matter for Carpenter as he gave Detroit its first postseason win since 2013.

    After getting the win in Game 2, the Tigers will head back to the Motor City and Comerica Park, where they will look to get one step closer to keeping their magical season alive.