DETROIT — The Detroit Tigers never got their bats going against the Cleveland Guardians Wednesday night, making the race for the American League Central title even tighter.

The Tigers (85-67) lost their second straight game to the second-place Guardians (80-71), 4-0, at Comerica Park, resulting in a crucial series loss that brings their division lead down to 4 1/2 games with 10 remaining.

After going to extra innings Tuesday night thanks to a late home run from Kerry Carpenter, the Tigers never pulled through the big hit to catch up in the second of six matchups against the Guardians in the final two weeks of the regular season.

Cleveland starter Gavin Williams pitched five scoreless innings with nine strikeouts to earn the win.

The most promising moments came in the first and sixth in

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