ANDY Ibanez produced a pinch-hit, two-out, three-run double in the eighth inning and the Detroit Tigers capped a stunning sweep of their American League wild-card series with a 5-2 comeback victory over the host Houston Astros in Game 2 on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila).
The Tigers advance to the AL Division Series to face the Guardians, with Game 1 set for Saturday (Sunday in Manila) in Cleveland.
Six pitchers followed Tigers opener Tyler Horton, with the first three–Brenan Hanifee, Brant Hurter and Beau Brieske–combining with Horton to keep the Astros scoreless through six. Sean Guenther (1-0) and Will Vest worked the final 2 2/3 innings, with Vest tossing a perfect ninth for the save.
Houston starter Hunter Brown struck out nine while allowing one run on two hits in 5 2/3 innings. Ryan Pressly (0-1) took the loss after Josh Hader served up Ibanez’s three-run hit.
In other games, it was the Royals 2, Orioles 1; Padres 5, Braves 4; and Brewers 5, Mets 3.
Royals 2, Orioles 1
Bobby Witt Jr. delivered the go-ahead RBI for the second straight day and the Kansas City bullpen protected the lead to secure a win at Baltimore, completing a two-game sweep of an American League Division Series.
Angel Zerpa (1-0) and four other Kansas City relievers combined for 4 2/3 scoreless innings. Lucas Erceg pitched the ninth for his second save in a row. The Royals now face the top-seeded New York Yankees in the ALDS.
Baltimore’s Cedric Mullins homered to tie the game 1-1 in the fifth before the Royals went back ahead on Witt’s hit in the sixth. Cionel Perez (0-1) took the loss.
Padres 5, Braves 4
Kyle Higashioka homered and Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill added two RBIs apiece during a five-run second inning to help San Diego clinch its National League wild-card series with a victory over visiting Atlanta.
Fernando Tatis Jr. had three hits and a walk for the Padres, who wrapped up the best-of-three series in two games. Luis Arraez and Merrill had two hits apiece for San Diego, which saw starter Joe Musgrove leave in the fourth inning due to elbow tightness.
Bryan Hoeing (1-0) got the win, and Robert Suarez earned a save. Michael Harris II had three hits, including a two-run homer, and Jorge Soler also went deep for the Braves. Max Fried (0-1) was tagged for five runs in two innings.
