BOSTON (Interstat) — In a tense, low-scoring affair that defied pregame projections, the Detroit Tigers clinched an American League playoff berth with a 2-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Saturday evening at Fenway Park.

Less than 24 hours after the Red Sox secured their own postseason ticket, the Tigers, backed by a dominant pitching performance, earned at least a wild-card spot and eliminated the Houston Astros from contention. The win improved Detroit’s record to 87-74, while Boston fell to 88-73. The Tigers still have a mathematical chance to win the AL Central but would require assistance from the Cleveland Indians in their Saturday afternoon game against the Texas Rangers.

The game, played in front of a crowd of 36,478, was a stark contrast to the offensive output predicted by Interstat, whose simulator had projected a 6-2 Boston win and whose ELO system gave the Red Sox a 57.8 percent probability of victory. The teams combined for only three runs, well under the pregame over/under line of 9, in a contest that lasted 2 hours and 27 minutes.

Boston struck first in the bottom of the second inning against Detroit starter Keider Montero. Ceddanne Rafaela and Carlos Narváez hit back-to-back singles, and with two outs, Nick Sogard lined a single to center field to score Rafaela, giving the Red Sox an early 1-0 lead.

The game remained a pitcher’s duel until the top of the fifth. After Connelly Early, the Boston starter, recorded the first out, Dillon Dingler singled sharply to left field. Following a popout, Javier Báez blooped a single to right, moving Dingler to third. Parker Meadows then worked a walk to load the bases for Jahmai Jones.

Jones, who had flown out and singled in his first two at-bats, came through with the game’s decisive hit. He grounded a single through the left side of the infield, scoring both Dingler and Báez to give the Tigers a 2-1 lead.

From there, Detroit’s bullpen took over. Montero exited after 4 1/3 strong innings, allowing one run on five hits while striking out seven. Tyler Holton (6-5) inherited a runner but recorded four key outs, striking out two, to earn the victory. Brant Hurter and Rafael Montero combined for 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, setting the stage for Will Vest.

Vest entered in the ninth and retired the side in order, striking out Nathaniel Lowe swinging before getting Carlos Narváez to ground out to third to end the game. It was Vest’s 23rd save of the season, sealing the playoff-clinching victory.

Early (1-2) was charged with the loss for Boston, despite a solid outing. He pitched five innings, surrendering two runs on four hits and striking out seven. Chris Murphy provided three scoreless innings of relief for the Red Sox, allowing just one hit.

The Tigers managed only six hits total, with Jones’ two-run single being the most critical. The Red Sox collected seven hits but went 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position and stranded five baserunners.

The two teams will conclude their regular-season series on Sunday at Fenway Park.