By Mmesoma 
DETROIT — The Cleveland Guardians’ freefall continued Thursday afternoon as they suffered their eighth consecutive loss, falling 2-1 to the Detroit Tigers and being swept in the three-game series at Comerica Park.
Cleveland’s offense once again failed to generate momentum, managing just one run on six hits. The lone spark came in the sixth inning, when Josh Naylor delivered an RBI single to bring home José Ramírez, briefly tying the game at 1-1. But the Tigers responded immediately in the bottom of the frame with a go-ahead RBI double by Matt Vierling, sealing the Guardians’ fate.
Starter Triston McKenzie pitched 5.2 innings for Cleveland, giving up two earned runs on five hits with six strikeouts. Despite a solid outing, the lack of run support once again doomed the Guardians’ hopes.
“We’re in a funk right now,” said Guardians manager Stephen Vogt. “Everyone’s pressing, trying to do too much. We need to reset and get back to the basics—good at-bats, good pitching, and solid defense. We have the talent, but right now it’s not clicking.”
The loss drops the Guardians to a season-worst losing streak, highlighting a troubling trend of low offensive output and missed opportunities. During the eight-game slide, the team has scored more than three runs only once and has been outscored 39-18.
Meanwhile, Detroit capitalized on Cleveland’s slump with timely hitting and solid pitching. Tigers starter Reese Olson held the Guardians to one run over six innings, while the bullpen shut the door with three scoreless frames. Jason Foley earned the save with a 1-2-3 ninth.
“It feels good to come away with the sweep, especially against a divisional rival,” said Tigers manager A.J. Hinch. “Our guys stepped up in every facet—pitching, defense, and at the plate.”
With the All-Star break approaching, the Guardians are searching for answers. Once the AL Central frontrunners, they now risk falling further in the standings if they can’t right the ship soon.
Cleveland will try to regroup Friday as they return home to face the Tampa Bay Rays, hoping a change of scenery can spark a turnaround.