The Detroit Tigers celebrate the series win over the Astros as they prepare for ALDS

DETROIT – After defeating the Houston Astros, the Detroit Tigers advance to the American League Divisional Series for the first time since 2014.

The Tigers had to bounce back on Wednesday (Oct. 2) as they were held to a 2-2 tie against the Astros in front of the infielder Andy Ibanez hit a beautiful line-drive bases-clearing double to left field to cap a four-run eighth inning and sweep in the second game of their American League Wild Card Series.

Ibáñez said he felt blessed to be the catalyst for his team’s advancement to the ALDS.

He also thanked God and the team for the support he needed and also thanked the fans in Detroit.

Tigers outfielder Parker Meadows opened the game with a solo home run to start the sixth inning.

The long ball flew off the “That Chicken” sign on the right field foul pole, knocking the breath out of the crowd at Minute Made Park.

“It was a really good heater,” Meadows said. “I’ve been trying to get on his (Hunter Brown) heater all day and I finally managed to give us some momentum.”

Kerry Carpenter ignited a fire among his teammates with a rally in the eighth inning with a bye single with one out, which eventually put him on third base with a bye single Matt Vierlinglater the second game equalized.

Vierling talked about the moment he and his teammates secured a spot in the ALDS.

“It was huge for us and we’re thrilled to bring a playoff game back to Detroit,” Vierling said. “To come here and win two games on the road was huge for us.”

The game was then tied 2-2, Colt Keith got on base after a two-out walk earlier Spencer Torkelson loaded the bases with a walk leading to the manager AJ Hinch Pinch of Ibanez for Zach McKinstry and as they say, the rest is postseason history.

“It started with Carpenter,” Torkelson said. “It definitely hurt to lose that lead in the seventh, but we never lost confidence. The carp get a great hit there and then the four of a kind comes to grab and then we just kept the line moving.”

The Tigers used seven arms after the Triple Crown pitcher Tarik Skubal achieved its first playoff win in a confident manner on Tuesday.

-> Tarik Skubal dominates the Astros and leads the Detroit Tigers to victory in Game 1 of the Wild Card Round

Skubal, the presumptive American League Cy Young winner, talked about the joy of advancing to the ALDS and picking up the first playoff win of his young career.

“This feels great,” Skubal said. “Winning is the best thing ever. There’s nothing better than winning. Victory heals everything.”

The Tigers face division opponents, the Cleveland Guardians, in a best-of-seven series with game one on Saturday.