Tigers Edge Guardians 1-0 in Nail-Biting Game Recap

The Detroit Tigers put on a pitching clinic Saturday night. Casey Mize led the charge, and Detroit edged out the Cleveland Guardians 1-0. That win pushed the Guardians’ losing streak to nine games—another rough chapter in their recent offensive slump.

Let’s dig into Mize’s big night, Spencer Torkelson’s clutch homer, and what this tense game might mean for both teams.

Casey Mize Shines in a Near-Flawless Outing

Pitching stole the spotlight, and Mize owned the stage. He tossed seven strong innings, scattered four hits, and didn’t allow a run. With this win, Mize bumped his record to 9-2.

He struck out four, walked two, and threw 102 pitches—he’s only topped that pitch count three other times in his career. Mize really showed why Detroit leans on him as their ace.

Cleveland just couldn’t figure him out. Mize kept their hitters guessing, forced weak contact, and stranded runners. Nights like this are exactly what you hope for if you’re chasing a playoff spot.

Detroit’s Bullpen Finishes the Job

After Mize exited, Detroit’s bullpen took over and didn’t flinch. The relievers kept Cleveland off the board and locked down Detroit’s 10th shutout of the year. That ties them for the second-most in MLB this season.

It’s clear that the Tigers’ mix of reliable starters and a steady bullpen has paid off all year.

Spencer Torkelson’s Bat Makes the Difference

Offense was scarce, but Torkelson made his moment count in the second inning. He launched his 20th home run of the season off Cleveland’s Logan Allen, and that was all Detroit needed.

The crowd at Comerica Park roared as Torkelson’s homer sailed out. It’s been quite a breakout for him this year.

That shot also put him in the Tigers’ record books. With Riley Greene, Torkelson became part of the first Detroit pair since 1993 to hit at least 20 homers each before the All-Star break.

A Quiet Night for Detroit’s Offense

Other than Torkelson’s blast, Detroit’s bats barely made a peep. The Tigers managed just two hits all night against four Cleveland pitchers.

Still, one timely swing was all it took. Cleveland’s missed chances sealed their fate.

Guardians Hit Rock Bottom Amid Offensive Woes

Cleveland’s skid hit nine games, and five of those losses have been shutouts. Their offense has all but disappeared. They’ve been blanked 11 times this year, tied with the Pirates for most in the majors.

During this stretch, the Guardians are hitting just .165 as a group. They’re a brutal 4-for-44 with runners in scoring position.

Injury Adds to Cleveland’s Woes

To make things worse, All-Star second baseman Gleyber Torres left in the first inning. He took an elbow to the head on a slide, and it’s not clear when he’ll return.

What This Win Means for Detroit

Detroit’s win over Cleveland highlights their pitching and defense. With 10 shutouts, this staff is among the league’s best.

Mize keeps proving he’s the real deal. And with Torkelson and Greene heating up, Tigers fans have reason to feel hopeful for the rest of the season.

Final Thoughts

Saturday’s 1-0 victory really shows the grit and strategy behind this Detroit Tigers team. Their pitching shined, and the power hitting came at just the right moment.

Detroit didn’t need a huge offensive outburst—they just grabbed the chances when they came. Meanwhile, Cleveland keeps slipping, and honestly, it’s hard to say when they’ll snap out of it.

Can the Tigers keep this up when the competition gets tougher? Will Cleveland’s lineup wake up? It’s anyone’s guess, but right now, Detroit’s win just adds to their reputation as a team worth following in 2023.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Tigers 1-0 Guardians (Jul 5, 2025) Game Recap