Tigers end 8-game slide, tie Guardians atop AL Central with 3 left - ESPN

CLEVELAND — Unlike most things associated with baseball, a collective, early sigh from a dugout can't be measured, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen for the Detroit Tigers on Thursday.

Detroit halted an eight-game losing streak behind two home runs in the first inning of a 4-2 victory against the Cleveland Guardians, including a leadoff blast by Jahmai Jones.

«To get the energy going and get that spark right off the bat was huge,» Jones said after the Tigers forged another tie with the Guardians atop the American League Central. «Everyone understands how important these last few games are.»

They're especially important for the Tigers, who are attempting to avoid a historic fade from the postseason after seemingly having the division locked up weeks ago. Their skid has been matched by a Guardians hot streak, allowing the teams to pass each other in the standings Wednesday only to have the Tigers reengage the Guardians on Thursday.

«Everyone needs to see a little bit of positivity in the game,» Tigers manager AJ Hinch said. «We are human. We feed off a ton of things, including the good things. Of course everyone takes a collective breath.»

Two batters after Jones homered, Wenceel Perez did the same, giving a cushion to opener Troy Melton before he took the mound.

«That's the ideal start when you're on the road,» Melton said.

If Melton wasn't hyped after being told he'd start just the evening before, the early lead provided some energy. He came out throwing gas, hitting 97 and 98 mph on the radar gun in the first inning as Cleveland went down in order.

«A little but more adrenaline with the game being more important,» Melton said.

He lasted 3⅔ innings before handing the ball to the first of five relievers who combined