BOSTON – Jahmai Jones played two singles in the fifth inning, with the Detroit Tigers winning a spot in the American League playoffs for the second straight season.
Less than 24 hours after the Red Sox sealed the playoff berth, the Tigers claimed at least a wildcard position. Detroit can still win the AL Central title, but needs to win the series finale with Boston and let Cleveland win the game against Texas on Saturday night-win.
Keider Montero and four rescuers beat Boston one shot and seven hits. Tyler Holton (6-5) won four wins. Will Werd ranked ninth in his 23rd save.
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“A little crazy journey, but it's worth it,” Tigers manager AJ Hinch told his team at the clubhouse Saturday night during the celebration. “We're up, we're down, we're up again.”
The Tigers (87-74) led the division for up to 14 games in July and still maintained a 9.5-game lead on Sept. 11, before 12 losses in 14 games put them in a draw with Cleveland (86-74). The Guardians have been in fourth place and 15.5 games on July 7 since September 5, and faced Detroit 17-4.
“It's amazing. That's what everyone dreams about,” Jones said in the team's post-match show. “It's what everyone wants. Being able to do it with someone so closely connected means the world to me.”
Detroit's ace Ace Tarik Skubal (13-6) ranked first in Sunday's regular season finale, but will save him for Tuesday's playoff opener.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.