Tigers manager A.J. Hinch targeted Guardians' overworked bullpen

CLEVELAND — Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch hatched the plan in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series. He wanted the Cleveland bullpen, most notably closer Cade Smith, to throw as many pitches as possible Wednesday. Hinch was hoping to take advantage of the Guardians' overtaxed bullpen in the deciding Game 3. Whether it had anything to do with the outcome of the Tigers' 6-3 victory Thursday is anyone's guess. Regardless, Detroit prevailed in the best-of-three series 2-1 and has advanced to the AL Division Series in Seattle. The Guardians' bullpen, which has been outstanding all season, seemed to run out of gas in Game 3. Mainstays Erik Sabrowski and Hunter Gaddis were hit hard Thursday, as the Tigers rallied for four runs in the seventh to break the close game wide open. Both relievers allowed two runs in 1/3 of an inning. "Erik and Hunter have been two of our best pitchers and it's unfortunate that the inning unfolded the way it did," Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. "When you throw as much as they do, you're going to have (poor) outings. You just hope it doesn't come at a time like that. "But I've got nothing but respect and faith in those guys because they got us here. They were unbelievable all year. Our pitching got us here this year. There's nothing negative I can say about the way we threw the baseball." Vogt gave Game 3 starter Slade Cecconi a quick hook after just 2 1/3 innings and 47 pitches. He exited after giving up back-to-back singles in the third inning. Left-hander Tim Herrin was summoned to face Kerry Carpenter, who doubled off first baseman C.J. Kayfus' glove for a run-scoring double, which was charged to Cecconi. "We talked through a bunch of scenarios," Vogt said. "We had to stop it right there, and we did it at the right time. Timmy did a great job getting out of that jam." Left-hander Joey Cantillo replaced Herrin to start the fourth. He was tagged with the loss, as he allowed one run in 2 2/3 innings of work. Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler, a product of Massillon Jackson High School, belted a change-up 401 feet into the left-field stands for a 2-1 advantage in the sixth. "I left the pitch up over the plate," Cantillo said. "This was not how we wanted it to finish. "It was good to get the opportunity to get out there in big moments. We'll learn from it and move on. It sucks the way it ended." He said he was proud of the bullpen's effort. "It's been throwing the crap out of the ball," Cantillo said. Smith, who pitched a hitless ninth, agreed with Cantillo's assessment. "I couldn't be prouder of the guys," he said. "I was proud of the way the bullpen handled adversity and showed resilience." Smith is not sure if he'll remain the team's closer moving forward. No one knows the fate of former closer Emmanuel Clase, who was suspended in a gambling investigation. "I don't take anything for granted," Smith said. "I will continue to work and prepare." Contact Bob Finnan at (440) 329-7135 or rfinnan30@gmail.com.