The Detroit Tigers stun the Cleveland Guardians 7-2 on July 6, 2025, with a 6-run 10th inning. Riley Greene and Trey Sweeney homered in the wild comeback win.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when you thought it was over, the Detroit Tigers ripped the hearts out of the Cleveland Guardians. Down to their final strike in the ninth, the Tigers manufactured a miracle, tying the game on a wild pitch before unleashing an offensive tidal wave in the tenth inning for a stunning 7-2 victory and a series sweep at Progressive Field.
Riley Greene is the 15th player in Tigers history to hit at least 22 home runs before the All-Star break, and the first since J.D. Martinez in 2015.
Let's set the scene: Ninth inning, two outs, Tigers trailing 1-0. Guardians' closer Emmanuel Clase, one of the best in the business, was on the mound. It looked bleak. But this team has a different kind of fight. Zach McKinstry, representing the tying run, scampered home on a shocking wild pitch with two strikes on the batter. It was a gift, a moment of pure chaos that breathed life back into the dugout and set the stage for something truly special.
If the ninth inning was a spark, the tenth was a full-blown inferno. With Parker Meadows starting on second, a Javier Báez single put runners on the corners. That's when Trey Sweeney stepped up and blasted a three-run homer that silenced the Cleveland crowd. But the Tigers weren't done. After a Matt Vierling RBI double, Riley Greene put the exclamation point on the rally, launching a two-run moonshot. A six-run inning, just like that. It was a brutal, decisive blow that extended Cleveland's losing streak to 10 games and cemented a statement sweep for Detroit.
The late-game fireworks wouldn't have been possible without another masterful performance from the ace, Tarik Skubal. The reigning AL Cy Young winner was simply dealing. He carved up the Guardians lineup for seven innings, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out 10 batters. It was his sixth double-digit strikeout game of the season and the 13th of his career. Skubal gave his team every chance to win, and they finally rewarded him in the most dramatic fashion imaginable.
Riley Greene's two-run blast in the tenth wasn't just insurance; it was historic. The homer was his 22nd of the season, making him just the 15th player in franchise history to reach that mark before the All-Star break. The last Tiger to do it? J.D. Martinez back in 2015. Greene's breakout power surge has been the engine of this offense, and he's putting himself in the same breath as some of the great sluggers in Detroit's past. We are witnessing the arrival of a superstar.
Even amidst the celebration, the front office is staying busy. The team fortified its bullpen by recalling lefty Sean Guenther and selecting the contract of fellow southpaw PJ Poulin from Toledo. With key players like Sawyer Gipson-Long and Kerry Carpenter on the injured list, these moves provide crucial depth as the Tigers gear up for the second half. It's a clear signal that the team is serious about making a run and won't let injuries derail their momentum.
What a way to head towards the All-Star break. This sweep, capped by an unforgettable comeback, shows everything you want to see from a contending team: ace-level pitching, resilient offense, and emerging superstars. The Tigers aren't just winning games; they're winning them with flair and swagger. If this weekend in Cleveland is any indication, the rest of the American League better be on notice. The Tigers are for real.
