In the top of the ninth, against feared Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase, Spencer Torkelson reached after being hit by a pitch. Pinch-runner Zach McKinstry stole second, advanced to third on a groundout and then dashed home on an unfathomable two-strike, two-out wild pitch by Clase.

Cleveland appeared poised to snap their skid when Steven Kwan’s RBI double in the eighth broke a scoreless tie. The rally began with Austin Hedges’ single that snapped an 0-for-10 slump, followed by a walk to Brayan Rocchio. Kwan, aiming for his third hit of the afternoon, then drove in pinch runner Daniel Schneemann with a double into the corner.

The Guardians were one strike away from a huge win against Tarik Skubal and the Tigers. Then it fell apart in stunning fashion.