A team that loses nine games in a row has to invent new ways to lose. The Cleveland Guardians did that on Sunday against the visiting Detroit Tigers.

Gavin Williams had somehow countered the pitching of Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal with a Skubal-like performance of his own.

Steven Kwan had actually driven in a run, breaking a string of 24 consecutive zeroes on the scoreboard.

All Emmanuel Clase had to do was throw one more strike.

Instead, he threw a wild pitch, allowing Zach McKinstry to score from third base.

Detroit piled on six runs in the 10th inning to win 7-2.

DON’T FORGET GAVIN

Gavin Williams pitched the game of his life. He gave up one hit and three walks in six shutout innings while striking out eight.

Cleveland’s pitchers kept the Tigers’ bats in check all weekend, if you don’t count Sunday’s 10th inning.

Meanwhile, Skubal did his thing. He fired seven shutout innings, with three hits, no walks, and 10 strikeouts.

Kwan connected with an RBI double in the eighth to score Daniel Schneemann. Later in the day, Kwan made the American League All-Star team for the second time.

HEAD FOR THE EXITS

Cade Smith (2-3) was charged with all six runs in the 10th inning. Trey Sweeney and Riley Greene homered during the barrage.

Kwan knocked in Schneemann again in the bottom of the 10th with a sacrifice fly. By this time, nobody could blame the fans for hitting the road.

OFF TO TEXAS

Speaking of hitting the road, the Guardians will be in Houston tonight to face the Astros.

Hunter Brown, another Cy Young contender, will start for Houston. He’s 9-2 with a 1.82 ERA.

Cleveland will counter with Tanner Bibee (4-9, 4.20). Game time is 8:10 Eastern.