"The inning spoke volumes for both teams. It came in the bottom of the sixth in the opening game of a crucial series between the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers on Tuesday. The two rivals had been going in opposite directions for the better part of a month -- the Guardians surging from a seemingly insurmountable deficit while the Tigers were falling faster than a ball dropped from the upper deck of Comerica Park."
"Kwan has tried bunting toward first base against Skubal previously, knowing the lefty would have a tough time making the play. This time he went the other direction. "Was more of a desperation play," he explained. "Just trying to get something in play and create some chaos." "Chaos" is a word you'll hear yelled often from the Guardians' dugout. Or perhaps it'll be "turmoil." Anything that screams action. The Guardians want things in motion."
The Guardians staged a comeback using small-ball tactics and relentless pressure. In the bottom of the sixth, Cleveland executed three consecutive bunt attempts that disrupted Detroit's defense and targeted lefty Tarik Skubal's vulnerabilities. Steven Kwan opened the inning with a bunt single toward third, followed by Angel Martinez pushing a bunt toward first to advance runners. The strategy forced uncomfortable plays, created chaos, and produced runs that erased Skubal's lead. Players emphasized team-focused at-bats and creating motion. The result was a 5-2 series-opening victory that underscored the Guardians' momentum and the Tigers' recent slide.
Read at ESPN.com
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