After scoring six runs on Wednesday’s win and four in Tuesday’s defeat, the Cleveland Guardians’ offense turned back into a pumpkin on Thursday’s finale. It racked up just four hits and scored no runs, as the team lost 3-0 against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.
It means that Cleveland dropped another series and hasn’t won one since that one in Cincinnati in late July. They are now 59-63, a game and a half behind the Detroit Tigers. The Guardians are fourth in the AL Central, and the dream of winning a third straight division title is in serious jeopardy.
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) August 13, 2026
Left-hander Parker Messick gave the team 5.2 very strong frames in which he surrendered just a couple of runs on three hits and two walks. He struck out six, but got no support whatsoever from his lineup despite retiring 11 straight batters at one point. His ERA remains elite at 2.59.
The Tigers scored the first run in the bottom of the third. They actually loaded the bases against Messick with no outs, which is why the fact that he limited them to just one run on a Dillon Dingler groundout was seen as a win at that moment.
Eduardo Valencia gave Detroit a 2-0 cushion with a solo homer off a very frustrated Messick in the bottom of the sixth. The Guardians were still, technically, in the game, but a two-run deficit often looks insurmountable for Cleveland’s offense.
Rookie Chase DeLauter was virtually the only Guardians hitter who showed up to the park on Thursday afternoon. He contributed two hits and also stole his eighth base of the year, but he got no help.
Franco Aleman got in trouble in the eighth inning and allowed Detroit’s third run, driven in by Spencer Torkelson and scored by Kevin McGonigle. The rookie reliever had to be bailed out by a solid Tim Herrin.
It’s important to point out that Cleveland’s offense didn’t strike out once against Tigers starter Keider Montero or any Tigers pitcher, for that matter. They also produced nine hard-hit balls, which is noteworthy, but most of them were on the ground, limiting their potential to do damage.
The Guardians wrapped up a horrible road trip against division foes in which they went 2-4. They will now return home to host the San Diego Padres in another important weekend series. At this point, they are all must-win games for Cleveland.
NEXT: Stephen Vogt Believes Guardians All-Star Is Returning To Form
