Dominant closer Clase gives up 3-run homer in 9th as Tigers shock Guardians 3-0 in ALDS Game 2

By TOM WITHERS The Associated Press

Cleveland Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase walks off the field after being taken out of the game in the ninth inning during Game 2 of baseball's AL Division Series against the Detroit Tigers, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/David Dermer]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Emmanuel Clase’s nearly perfect season is now flawed. Cleveland’s All-Star closer, who spent the past six months dominating like no other pitcher in the majors, gave up a three-run homer to Detroit’s Kerry Carpenter with two outs in the ninth inning as the Tigers shocked the Guardians 3-0 in Game 2 of the ALDS. Pitching a second inning for just the second time in 2024, Clase showed that even he can be beaten. Clase left a slider over the plate to Carpenter, whose homer was just the third allowed by the right-hander this season. Clase saved 47 games during the regular season and finished 0.61 ERA.