DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers won’t be clinching the American League Central in this series.

The red-hot Cleveland Guardians opened this week’s division showdown with a 7-5 victory in 10 innings on Tuesday night at Comerica Park.

The Tigers (85-66) still lead the Guardians (79-71) by 5 1/2 games with 11 games remaining in the regular season. Detroit could have clinched the division on Thursday with a series sweep. Instead, Cleveland is keeping things interesting -- and potentially worrisome for the Tigers. The Guardians have won five straight and 10 of their last 11.

The clubs have two more games this week in Detroit, then meet again next week for a three-game series in Cleveland.

The Tigers were down to their last out in the ninth when pinch-hitter Kerry Carpenter blasted a solo homer

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