Jake Rogers scored the game’s only run in the eighth, Keider Montero delivered a strong start and the Detroit Tigers stretched their winning streak to four games by edging the visiting Cleveland Guardians 1-0 on Monday night.
Montero held the Guardians to three hits in 6 1/3 innings. He walked one and struck out four. Tyler Holton (4-1) picked up the win and Shelby Miller recorded his first save.
Holton set down the side in order in the top of the eighth. Rogers then led off the bottom of the inning against Scott Barlow (2-3) with a double. Wenceel Perez singled but was thrown out at second as Rogers held up at third. Colt Keith then walked before shortstop Brayan Rocchio allowed Mark Canha’s routine grounder to get past him, allowing Rogers to score.
Tim Herrin replaced Barlow and got two outs, leaving Keith and Canha stranded.
Angel Martinez had two of Cleveland’s three hits.
An unlikely pitchers’ duel developed in the early going between Cleveland’s Gavin Williams and Montero. Williams was making just his second start of the year after recovering from a shoulder injury. Montero, who has spent the bulk of the season in the minors, recorded his first major league victory in his previous start.
Neither team advanced a runner past first base until the fifth inning. Montero was aided by double plays in the third and fourth innings.
Tigers shortstop Javier Baez, activated off the injured list earlier in the day, led off the fifth with a double. He moved to third on Akil Baddoo’s groundout before Rogers popped out. Perez then grounded out, leaving Baez stranded.
In the sixth, Canha walked with one out, ending Williams’ outing. He moved to second on a grounder by Riley Greene after Sam Hentges replaced Williams. Gio Urshela then struck out to end the inning.
After Martinez singled and Jose Ramirez flied out to begin the seventh, Montero was removed in favor of Holton. The reliever retired Josh Naylor on a flyout and David Fry on a fielder’s choice.