CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Guardians spent their first full day in first place playing like a first-place team.

The Detroit Tigers, meanwhile, continue limping to the finish line.

The Tigers fell 5-1 to the Guardians on Wednesday night at Progressive Field, their second straight loss in what had been a much-anticipated AL Central showdown.

The Tigers (85-73) have now lost eight straight and 11 of their last 12. The Guardians (86-72) extended their lead in the AL Central and shrunk their magic number to three, the combined number of Detroit losses and Cleveland wins needed to clinch the division.

If the Guardians hold on to win the Central, their rally from a 15.5-game deficit will be the largest comeback to win a division in MLB history.

Despite their best efforts, the Tigers are stil

See Full Page