DETROIT, MI — The Detroit Tigers remain in the thick of the American League Wild Card race, but Wednesday night’s 6-4 loss to the Cleveland Guardians made Thursday’s series finale at Comerica Park even more important.

Detroit overcame an early two-run deficit and briefly grabbed the lead before Cleveland responded with four unanswered runs. The loss evened the three-game series at one game apiece, meaning Thursday’s winner will take the series.

With Detroit and Cleveland both fighting for postseason positioning, the finale also provides the Tigers an opportunity to gain ground against a team directly involved in the Wild Card chase.

Cleveland Strikes First, Detroit Answers

Detroit starter Framber Valdez #59 took the loss, falling to 7-8 after allowing four runs on six hits over 5 2/3 innings. Valdez struck out three, walked five and threw 102 pitches, including 64 strikes.

Cleveland put pressure on Valdez immediately.

Steven Kwan #38 scored when Jo Adell #7 grounded into a double play in the top of the first. Angel Martínez #1 followed with a double that brought home Chase DeLauter #10, giving Cleveland an early 2-0 advantage.

Detroit didn’t allow the Guardians to hold the momentum for long.

Torkelson Ties It, Torres Gives Detroit the Lead

With two outs in the bottom of the first, Spencer Torkelson #20 delivered a two-run double to center field, bringing home Dillon Dingler #13 and Hao-Yu Lee #15 to tie the game 2-2.

Detroit then moved in front in the third.

Gleyber Torres #25 drove a pitch 421 feet to left-center field for a solo home run. The homer, his eighth of the season, gave the Tigers their first lead of the night, 3-2.

For a Detroit lineup navigating several injuries, the early production provided an encouraging response after Cleveland’s two-run opening inning.

Guardians Regain Control

The Tigers’ advantage disappeared in the fifth.

With José Ramírez #11 aboard, Adell connected on a Valdez pitch and sent it 385 feet to left field for a two-run home run. Cleveland suddenly had the lead again, 4-3.

Valdez worked into the sixth before Detroit went to its bullpen. His final line included six hits, four earned runs, five walks, three strikeouts and one home run allowed.

Cleveland then created some separation in the seventh.

Argenis Genao #12 doubled home Martínez before Austin Hedges #17 singled home Genao, extending the Guardians’ advantage to 6-3.

Those two insurance runs ultimately proved important.

Tigers Make One More Push

Detroit still had an opportunity to get back into the game.

Kevin McGonigle #7 scored on a wild pitch by Cleveland closer Cade Smith #36 in the eighth inning, cutting the deficit to 6-4 while Zach McKinstry #39 advanced to second.

The Tigers, however, couldn’t complete the comeback.

Smith recorded the final outs for his 31st save.

Cleveland starter Foster Griffin #60 earned the victory and improved to 13-4 after allowing three runs — only one earned — on four hits over five innings.

Detroit finished with seven hits but struggled when opportunities presented themselves, going just 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position and leaving eight runners on base. Tigers hitters also struck out 11 times.

Torres finished 2-for-5 with his home run and RBI, while Torkelson drove in two runs with his first-inning double. McKinstry, Max Clark #6 and Javier Báez #28 were among Detroit’s other contributors at the plate.

Reworked Pitching Staff Faces Crucial Stretch

Detroit is attempting to stay in postseason contention with a pitching staff that looks significantly different following the trade deadline.

Valdez provides a veteran presence in a rotation increasingly dependent on younger arms, including Troy Melton #52 and Keider Montero #54. Detroit has also been working to create additional innings from within its pitching staff as it navigates the final weeks of the regular season.

The bullpen was unable to completely hold Cleveland in check Wednesday. Ty Madden #36, Enrique De Jesús #43 and Tanner Rainey #18 followed Valdez, with Rainey providing 1 2/3 scoreless innings to finish the night.

Detroit’s ability to get consistent innings from both its rotation and bullpen could become increasingly important as the Tigers attempt to remain within striking distance of a Wild Card berth.

Injuries Test Detroit’s Depth

The Tigers are also trying to navigate a difficult stretch without several important offensive pieces.

The absence of Riley Greene #31 adds another challenge to an outfield already missing regular contributors. That places additional responsibility on players such as Torkelson, Dingler and Detroit’s younger hitters to generate enough offense to keep the Tigers in the postseason race.

Wednesday provided an example of how narrow that margin can be.

Detroit scored four runs and remained within striking distance late, but couldn’t produce the additional hit needed to complete the comeback.

Tigers Remain in the Wild Card Hunt

Despite Wednesday’s loss, Detroit remains very much involved in the race for an American League Wild Card berth.

The crowded chase for the final postseason positions makes games against teams such as Cleveland especially significant. Each head-to-head matchup provides an opportunity to add a victory while handing another contender a loss.

For Detroit, the formula becomes increasingly straightforward as the calendar moves deeper into August: win series and remain within striking distance.

That makes Thursday’s game particularly important.

Thursday’s Winner Takes the Series

Detroit and Cleveland return to Comerica Park Thursday for the deciding game of the three-game series.

The teams split the first two games, leaving the finale to determine who leaves Detroit with the series victory.

For the Tigers, it’s another opportunity to keep pushing toward October while playing meaningful baseball in the middle of August.

Wednesday’s defeat didn’t knock Detroit out of contention.

It simply made the next game more important.

Final: Cleveland 6, Detroit 4
Winning Pitcher: Foster Griffin #60 (13-4)
Losing Pitcher: Framber Valdez #59 (7-8)
Save: Cade Smith #36 (31)
Attendance: 31,400