MLB Roundup: Royals bounce back against Yankees, Tigers dominate Guardians

The Kansas City Royals kept their postseason hopes alive with a 4-2 victory over the New York Yankees on Monday, leveling the American League Division Series at one game apiece. Meanwhile, the Detroit Tigers shocked the Cleveland Guardians with a late comeback, winning 3-0 to even their series.

After a narrow 6-5 loss to the Yankees in Game 1, the Royals responded with a decisive fourth inning at Yankee Stadium, scoring four runs to take control of the game. The series, now tied 1-1, heads back to Kansas City for Game 3 on Wednesday.

“We fight as a team and win as a team,” said Royals catcher Salvador Perez. “It feels like we’re a family out there.”

The Yankees, chasing their first World Series title since 2009, took an early 1-0 lead in the third inning when Giancarlo Stanton drove in Gleyber Torres. But the Royals turned the tide in the fourth, with Perez launching a home run to start the rally.

Tommy Pham followed up with a line drive, allowing Yuli Gurriel to score and give Kansas City a 2-1 lead. Garrett Hampson’s single brought in Pham, and Hampson later scored on Maikel Garcia’s hit, making it 4-1.

Yankees starter Carlos Rodon was pulled after the Royals' big inning, and while the Yankees threatened late, the Royals' bullpen held firm. Jazz Chisholm Jr. homered for New York in the ninth, cutting the lead to 4-2, but closer Lucas Erceg shut the door, securing the win.

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In Cleveland, the Tigers pulled off a dramatic ninth-inning win against the Guardians, thanks to a three-run home run by Kerry Carpenter. With the game tied 0-0, Carpenter blasted a 423-foot homer off closer Emmanuel Clase, stunning the Guardians and tying the series at 1-1.

Carpenter, who only debuted in the majors two years ago, called the moment surreal. “I just connected with the ball, and it felt incredible,” he said. “It’s a moment I’ll never forget.”

The Tigers' starter, Tarik Skubal, was outstanding, pitching seven scoreless innings while allowing only three hits. His efforts, combined with flawless defense, kept the Tigers in the game until Carpenter’s heroics in the ninth.

The series will move to Detroit for Game 3 on Wednesday, with the Tigers looking to build on their momentum.