The lead changed hands three times before Cleveland escaped with a 4-3 victory over Detroit at Comerica Park. The Guardians extended their winning streak to three games behind Travis Bazzana's two-run homer and a late go-ahead run.
Bazzana went 2-for-3 with 2 RBI and a walk, delivering the key blow in the fourth inning when his 358-foot homer to right field gave Cleveland a 3-2 lead. The rookie is batting .299 with 2 home runs and 9 RBI this season.
Detroit answered immediately in the bottom of the fourth when Riley Greene scored on a pickoff error by catcher Austin Hedges, knotting the game at 3-3. But Cleveland regained the lead in the seventh when Brayan Rocchio grounded out to shortstop, allowing Steven Kwan to score what proved to be the winning run.
Parker Messick allowed 3 runs (2 earned) over 5 innings for Cleveland, striking out 6 while walking 3. Detroit starter Keider Montero gave up 3 runs on 2 hits in 5 innings, walking 4 with just 1 strikeout. Tyler Holton took the loss for Detroit, allowing 1 run in 2 innings of relief. Colin Holderman earned his first win of the season for Cleveland, while Cade Smith recorded his 15th save despite allowing 2 hits in the ninth.
Cleveland improved to 27-22 and maintained first place in the division. Detroit fell to 20-28, extending their losing streak to three games.