Kerry Carpenter’s Clutch HR Off Clase Stuns MLB Fans as Tigers Win G2 vs. Guardians
Andrew PetersOctober 7, 2024
Jason Miller/Getty Images
The Detroit Tigers evened the American League Division Series with a 3-0 win over the Cleveland Guardians on Monday.
It was a pitcher’s duel for most of the game with neither team getting on the board through eight innings, but that changed in the top of the ninth.
With two outs, Detroit catcher Jake Rodgers hit a single to left field to get on base and Trey Sweeney sent him to third with a single of his own. Kerry Carpenter delivered as the hero, hitting a three-run homer off of Emmanuel Clase to right field to give the Tigers a three-run cushion.
MLB @MLBOh, I leave quite an impression
423 feet to be exact! #ALDS pic.twitter.com/yq6k6Fvss1
In the bottom of the ninth, Tigers’ reliever Beau Brieske set the Guardians down in order to seal the victory.
After the win, fans praised Carpenter for stepping up against one of the best closers in the majors and delivering the homer.
Zack Meisel @ZackMeiselThat’s the first three-run homer Emmanuel Clase has ever allowed in the big leagues.
Buster Olney @Buster_ESPNKerry Carpenter: The first home run by a left-handed hitter against Emmanuel Clase this year.
Detroit Tigers @tigersKERRY CARPENTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Natalie Kerwin @NatalieKerwin1KERRY CARPENTER 3-RUN BOMB pic.twitter.com/4lK1mQYrP9
Sarah Langs @SlangsOnSportsgo-ahead HR in 9th inning or later, Tigers postseason history:
2024 ALDS G2 Kerry Carpenter
2006 ALCS G4 Magglio Ordóñez
1972 ALCS G1 Al Kaline https://t.co/MexBY8ppHx
Mike Golic Jr @mikegolicjrKerry Carpenter absolutely ANNIHILATED that baseball. dear GOD.
Jayson Stark @jaysonstEmmanuel Clase: 3 ER allowed in Cleveland all season!
Then 3 on just this one swing by Kerry Carpenter
Wow https://t.co/UQMuGmAUUw
Jason Beck @beckjasonKerry Carpenter’s go-ahead 3-run HR is Tigers’ first go-ahead HR in 9th inning or later in a postseason game since Magglio Ordonez sent them to World Series in 2006 with his walkoff HR in ALCS.
Alex Fast @AlexFast8That ball was 110.8 mph off the bat of Kerry Carpenter.
That’s the hardest hit ball Emmanuel Clase has given up IN HIS ENTIRE CAREER.
Aram Leighton @AramLeighton8I don’t care about lefty splits, Kerry Carpenter needs to be in the lineup EVERY SINGLE GAME
Matt in Wixom ⬆️ @MattyB187Hi my name is Kerry Carpenter, at home they call me Kerry Bonds, and I hit dingers!!! #Tigers #ALDS pic.twitter.com/MXeaf8vbwI
Before Monday’s matchup, Clase had allowed just five runs and two homers in 74.2 innings this season. He had also never given up a three-run homer in his entire career. That didn’t matter for Carpenter as he gave Detroit its first postseason win since 2013.
After getting the win in Game 2, the Tigers will head back to the Motor City and Comerica Park, where they will look to get one step closer to keeping their magical season alive.
