UPDATE: The Cleveland Guardians have achieved a stunning historic feat, overtaking the Detroit Tigers with a 5-1 victory Wednesday night. This win marks the first time in Major League Baseball history that a team has overcome a staggering 15.5-game deficit to reclaim a lead in either division or league play.
In a game that electrified fans in Cleveland, the Guardians (now 86-72) pulled ahead of the Tigers (now 85-73) with just four games left in the season. The Guardians also secured the tiebreaker by winning the season series against the Tigers, making this an even more significant achievement.
Tanner Bibee (12-11) was instrumental in the victory, delivering a solid performance with only one run allowed over six innings, marking his third consecutive win. This victory also extends the Guardians’ remarkable streak, with their starters allowing two or fewer runs for an incredible 19 games. This is the longest such streak since the 2019 Tampa Bay Rays.
The Tigers initially took the lead in the third inning when Parker Meadows drove in Dillon Dingler with a sacrifice fly. However, the Guardians quickly rallied back. Brayan Rocchio led off the third inning with a double, followed by George Valera’s two-run homer, which was aided by a deflection off Meadows’ glove.
Adding to the excitement, Jose Ramírez sealed the game in the seventh with a two-run double, marking a landmark in his career as he became only the second player in franchise history to reach 3,000 total bases, joining the legendary Earl Averill.
The Tigers are now facing a tough situation, having dropped their eighth consecutive game and falling out of first place for the first time since April 22. Jack Flaherty (8-15) took the loss for Detroit, as the pressure mounts with the playoffs approaching.
This incredible turnaround echoes the historic comeback of the 1914 Boston Braves, who were 15 games back but rallied to win the National League. The previous record for the largest deficit overcome in the modern era was held by the 1978 New York Yankees, who closed a 14-game gap to win the AL East.
As the Guardians surge into the final stretch of the season, all eyes will be on how they maintain this momentum against their remaining opponents. Fans can expect thrilling baseball as the Guardians look to solidify their lead and make a strong playoff push.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the Guardians aim to secure their playoff spot!
