CLEVELAND (Interstat) — Tarik Skubal tied a Detroit postseason record with 14 strikeouts, leading the Tigers to a 2-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday in Game 1 of their American League Wild Card Series at Progressive Field.

In a tense, low-scoring affair defined by dominant pitching, Skubal delivered a masterful performance, allowing just one run on three hits over 7 2/3 innings before a crowd of 26,186. The win gives the Tigers a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series, putting them one victory away from advancing to the AL Division Series for the second consecutive year.

Detroit struck first in the opening inning. Kerry Carpenter singled to right field and advanced to second on an error by Johnathan Rodríguez. Spencer Torkelson then drove him in with a line-drive single to left.

The 1-0 lead held until the fourth inning, when Cleveland tied the game on a controversial play. After Angel Martínez singled and José Ramírez walked, Gabriel Arias hit a slow grounder back to Skubal. The Guardians successfully challenged a tag play at the plate, and the call was overturned, allowing Martínez to score.

The Tigers reclaimed the lead for good in the seventh without the benefit of a hit. Riley Greene led off with a double and advanced to third on a fielding error by first baseman Jhonkensy Noel. Zach McKinstry then laid down a sacrifice bunt, scoring Greene to make it 2-1.

Skubal’s historic outing ended with two outs in the eighth after he issued a walk. Will Vest entered and recorded the final four outs to secure the save, but not without drama in the ninth.

Ramírez led off the bottom of the ninth with a single and aggressively advanced to third on a throwing error by shortstop Javier Báez. Vest then struck out George Valera. Kyle Manzardo followed by hitting a chopper back to the mound, and Ramírez was caught in a rundown between third and home for the second out. Vest then induced a game-ending flyout from C.J. Kayfus to seal the victory.

Despite taking the loss, Cleveland starter Gavin Williams was sharp, pitching six innings of shutout ball, allowing five hits and striking out eight. The Guardians’ bullpen of Hunter Gaddis, Cade Smith and Erik Sabrowski combined for three hitless innings of relief.

The Tigers improved to 91-76 with the win, while the Guardians fell to 92-76. Skubal earned the win, improving to 14-6, while Williams took the loss, falling to 12-6. Vest recorded his 24th save of the season.

Game 2 of the series is scheduled for Wednesday at Progressive Field. Detroit can clinch the series with a win, while Cleveland must win to force a decisive Game 3 on Thursday.