CLEVELAND Kerry Carpenter hit a three-run homer off Clevelands All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase in the ninth inning, and the Detroit Tigers stunned the Guardians 3-0 in Game 2 on Monday to even their AL Division Series at one game apiece. Carpenter connected for a 423-foot shot with two outs off Clase, who had not given up a run since Aug. 30 and led the American League with 47 saves. To do it off him is special, said Carpenter. Hes one of the best. Detroit ace Tarik Skubal pitched seven shutout innings, increasing his postseason total to 13, before the Tigers put together a rare big inning against the almost unhittable Clase. Guardians catcher Bo Naylor, left, and Detroit Tigers Kerry Carpenter, right, watch Carpenters three-run home run in the ninth inning . AP The intimidating right-hander has dominated hitters all season he hasnt blown a save since May and was making just his second multi-inning appearance of 2024. Explore More Jake Rogers and Trey Sweeney hit consecutive two-out singles. Carpenter, who entered an inning earlier as a pinch-hitter, turned on Clases third straight slider, sending the ball into the right-field seats and shocking Clevelands rowdy home crowd. How about those three two-out hits? Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. Guardians manager Spencer Schwellenbach Jersey Stephen Vogt didnt regret using Clase for more than one inning. Emmanuel has been locked down all year, Vogt said. Hes been nearly perfect. Hes human, too. These things are going to happen, and its unfortunate the timing of when it did, but at the same time hes going to have the ball in the ninth again. This is the best closer in the game for a reason, and they just happened to get him tonight. The homer drove in the first runs of the series for the Tigers, who have been finding ways to win for months. Detroit went 31-13 after Aug. 11 to qualify for the postseason and then stunned the AL West champion Houston Astros in the Wild Card Series. Theyre at it again and head home to Comerica Park for Games 3 and 4 on Wednesday and Thursday with a chance to advance. You come to this environment, on the road, and its a five-game series, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. When you get that emotional win and go back home 1-1, you feel like you got one on their home turf. We now have two games at our place. We know its going to be electric. We know Detroit has waited a really long time for a playoff game. Were going to have a couple of them and a chance to take control of this series. When Carpenter stepped into the box, the Tigers felt something good would happen. Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase watches as Detroit Tigers Kerry Carpenter runs the bases / AP Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter (30) celebrates with catcher Jake Rogers (34) and shortstop Trey Sweeney (27) after hitting a three run home run. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con Kerry coming up there being Kerry Bonds, thats what you want right there, Rogers said. He got one low and in the middle of the zone. I had the best view of it and I was screaming from the bottom of my lungs. After Skubal pitched seven innings and winner Will Vest got through the eighth, Beau Brieske pitched a perfect ninth for the save. Skubal was getting a postgame workout when Carpenter homered. Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) reacts after pitching the fifth inning of Game 2 of ALDS. Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images What a swing, he said. I was on the ground, and I think thats the fastest Ive ever stood up in my life. What a swing off a really good pitcher, too, the best closer in the game. That was incredible to watch. Skubal, who won the AL pitching triple crown by leading the league in wins (18), ERA (2.39) and strikeouts (288), allowed just three hits. The left-hander dominated the Guardians over the first 4 1/3 innings, striking out eight before Josh Naylor doubled with one out in the fifth for Clevelands first hit. Skubal then hit rookie Jhonkensy Noel on the left hand. But the 27-year-old Skubal, who has never pitched a complete game, got Andrs Gimnez to bounce into an inning-ending double play and celebrated loudly as he left the mound and headed toward Detroits dugout. Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio (4) tags outs Detroit Tigers outfielder Justyn-Henry Malloy (44) at second base. Scott Galvin-Imagn Images Cleveland also threatened in the sixth. No. 9 hitter Brayan Rocchio doubled with one out and Kwan singled. Rocchio was held at third, and Skubal again got out of trouble as Detroits infield turned a nifty 6-4-3 double play, prompting the lefty to raise his hands and ask the crowd for more applause like a conductor pushing his orchestra for volume. Biff Pocoroba Jersey