By Mmesoma 
The Cleveland Guardians’ struggles continued Friday night at Comerica Park as the Detroit Tigers capitalized on timely hitting and long-ball power to extend the Guardians’ losing streak to eight games. Homers from catcher Carson Pérez and infielder Zach McKinstry fueled a 6–3 victory for the Tigers, deepening Cleveland’s July woes.
The loss marks Cleveland’s longest skid of the season and raises growing concerns about the team’s consistency as they fall further behind in the AL Central standings.
Detroit wasted little time getting on the board. In the second inning, Pérez launched a solo shot to left-center, his third home run of the season, giving the Tigers early momentum. McKinstry followed in the fifth with a two-run blast off Guardians starter Tanner Bibee, stretching the lead to 4–1 and electrifying the home crowd.
“We’re doing what we need to—getting good swings, staying aggressive,” McKinstry said after the game. “The energy in the clubhouse is building every day.”
Bibee struggled with his command, giving up four runs over five innings while walking two and striking out five. Despite flashes of promise, Cleveland’s young right-hander couldn’t keep Detroit’s bats quiet long enough for his team to mount a comeback.
Cleveland managed just seven hits on the night, failing once again to produce timely offense. José Ramírez drove in a pair with a seventh-inning double, briefly cutting the lead to 4–3, but the Tigers bullpen slammed the door. Detroit answered with two insurance runs in the bottom half of the frame, aided by an error and a clutch RBI single from Riley Greene.
“We’re pressing a bit,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt admitted postgame. “We’ve got the talent. But right now, we’re not executing in the key moments, and it’s showing.”
The Guardians have been plagued by inconsistent pitching and quiet bats during this skid, scoring just 18 runs total in the last eight games while allowing 47. The absence of production from the middle of the lineup continues to be a major issue, as does a bullpen that has faltered in tight situations.
For the Tigers, Friday’s win was their fifth in their last six games, as the team continues to climb in a tightly packed division race.
The two teams will meet again Saturday for the second game of the three-game set. Cleveland will send left-hander Logan Allen (4–6, 4.12 ERA) to the mound to try and halt the skid, while Detroit will counter with veteran righty Jack Flaherty (6–4, 3.76 ERA).
As the All-Star break looms, time is running out for the Guardians to right the ship.