Detroit’s Kerry Carpenter celebrates as he runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run in the ninth inning of the Tigers’ 3-0 win over the Guardians in Game 2 of the ALDS on Monday in Cleveland. David Dermer/Associated Press

CLEVELAND — Kerry Carpenter hit a three-run homer off closer Emmanuel Clase in the ninth inning Monday, and the Detroit Tigers stunned the Cleveland Guardians 3-0 to even their AL Division Series at one game apiece.

Carpenter connected for a 423-foot shot with two outs off Clase, who had not given up a run since Aug. 30 and led the American League with 47 saves.

“To do it off him is special,” said Carpenter. “He’s one of the best.”

Detroit ace Tarik Skubal pitched seven shutout innings, increasing his postseason total to 13, before the Tigers put together a rare big inning against the almost unhittable Clase.

Clase has dominated hitters all season — he hadn’t blown a save since May — and was making just his second multi-inning appearance of 2024.

Jake Rogers and Trey Sweeney hit consecutive two-out singles. Carpenter, who entered an inning earlier as a pinch hitter, turned on Clase’s third straight slider, sending the ball into the right-field seats.

“How about those three two-out hits?” Tigers Manager A.J. Hinch said.

Guardians Manager Stephen Vogt didn’t regret using Clase for more than one inning.

“Emmanuel has been locked down all year,” Vogt said. “He’s been nearly perfect. He’s human, too. These things are going to happen and it’s unfortunate the timing of when it did, but at the same time he’s going to have the ball in the ninth again. This is the best closer in the game for a reason, and they just happened to get him tonight.”

The homer drove in the first runs of the series for the Tigers, who have been finding ways to win for months. Detroit went 31-13 after Aug. 11 to qualify for the postseason, then stunned the AL West champ Houston Astros in the wild-card series.

The Tigers are at it again and head home for Games 3 and 4 on Wednesday and Thursday with a chance to advance.

“You come to this environment, on the road, and it’s a five-game series,” Hinch said. “When you get that emotional win and go back home 1-1, you feel like you got one on their home turf.

“We now have two games at our place. We know it’s going to be electric. We know Detroit has waited a really long time for a playoff game. We’re going to have a couple of them and a chance to take control of this series.”

Skubal was getting a postgame workout when Carpenter homered.

“What a swing,” he said. “I was on the ground, and I think that’s the fastest I’ve ever stood up in my life. What a swing off a really good pitcher, too, the best closer in the game. That was incredible to watch.”

NOTES

GUARDIANS: Utilityman Tyler Freeman sustained an oblique injury during a simulated game Sunday and was dropped from the roster.

Freeman was replaced by rookie Ángel Martínez, who played in 43 games this season but was left off the initial 26-man playoff roster. Martínez played six positions for Cleveland.

YANKEES: Jon Berti made his first professional start at first base for New York Game 2 of the series against Kansas City.

Manager Aaron Boone also said he picked Clarke Schmidt over Luis Gil to start Game 3 at Kansas City on Wednesday night.

PHILLIES: Slumping third baseman Alec Bohm will be back in the lineup Tuesday against the Mets in Game 3 at New York.