Guardians score vs. Tigers. Travis Bazzana HR helps power 4th straight win

Travis Bazzana hit his second home run of the season, a two-run shot, and the visiting Cleveland Guardians edged the reeling Detroit Tigers 4-3 on Tuesday night.

Kyle Manzardo scored two runs for the American League Central Division leaders. Steven Kwan scored a run and knocked in another as the Guardians won for the seventh time in their last eight games. The Tigers have lost 12 of their last 14 games.

Colin Holderman (1-0) picked up the win with one inning of scoreless relief. Cade Smith got out of a ninth-inning jam for his 15th save.

Spencer Torkelson hit a two-run homer and Riley Greene scored twice for Detroit. Tyler Holton (0-3) took the loss.

Manzardo led off the second with a single and Bazzana walked. Following a sacrifice to move the runners up, Kwan brought in Manzardo with a sacrifice fly.

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Cleveland Guardians road series vs. Detroit Tigers

May 18, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) sits in the dugout before the game against the Detroit Tigers to start at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

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Cleveland Guardians road series vs. Detroit Tigers

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Cleveland Guardians road series vs. Detroit Tigers

May 18, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Framber Valdez (59) throws a pitch against the Cleveland Guardians in the first inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

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Cleveland Guardians road series vs. Detroit Tigers

May 18, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Cleveland Guardians left fielder Angel Martinez (1) attempts a bunt against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

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Cleveland Guardians road series vs. Detroit Tigers

May 18, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) breaks his bat against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

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Cleveland Guardians road series vs. Detroit Tigers

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Cleveland Guardians road series vs. Detroit Tigers

May 18, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Slade Cecconi (44) throws a pitch against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

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Cleveland Guardians road series vs. Detroit Tigers

May 18, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Cleveland Guardians second baseman Travis Bazzana (37) hits a single against the Detroit Tigers in the second inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Detroit took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the inning. Greene drew a one-out walk and scored on Torkelson’s homer off Cleveland starter Parker Messick.

Cleveland regained the lead in the fourth as Manzardo reached on a leadoff walk and Bazzana launched a long ball over the right field wall.

Travis Bazzana of the Cleveland Guardians watches his two-run home run against the Detroit Tigers during the fourth inning at Comerica Park on May 19, 2026 in Detroit.

Detroit tied it at 3-all in the bottom of the inning. Greene led off with a single and advanced on Hao-Yu Lee’s two-out single. Greene scored on an errant pickoff throw by catcher Austin Hedges.

The Guardians took a 4-3 lead in the seventh. Kwan ripped a double that banged off right fielder Wenceel Perez’s glove at the top of the wall. He moved up on a sacrifice and scored on Brayan Rocchio‘s groundout.

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