DETROIT -- The Tigers knew they had to be at the top of their game with the mighty Orioles in town and Detroit’s postseason chances looking slim. Turns out, they were nearly perfect: Four Tigers pitchers combined to hold the O’s to one triple and one walk, coming an out shy of a no-hitter, before stranding the would-be tying run on third base in a 1-0 win.

It was a fitting way to open a three-game clash of American League postseason contenders. The Tigers have crept back into the AL Wild Card picture in part with their mastery of bullpen games, using an opener to set up a would-be starter with an ideal entry point. Though Brant Hurter has essentially become a vital part of the Tigers' rotation, the left-hander has made only one traditional start, with an opener pitching in front of him seven other times.

Friday was Beau Brieske's turn to open, the third time he has done so for Hurter. He retired Baltimore’s first four batters, striking out Anthony Santander, before Hurter -- the Tigers’ No. 12 prospect -- took over and silenced a Baltimore lineup that ranks second in the AL in runs scored and OPS and second in the Majors in home runs.

Not only did Hurter retire his first 17 batters in order, he allowed only one ball out of the infield and struck out eight, including the side in order in the sixth inning. He threw first-pitch strikes to each of his first 14 batters, and didn’t reach a three-ball count until going to a full count against Jackson Holliday, who struck out to end the sixth.

Once Hurter retired the top of the Orioles' order in the seventh, capped by a strikeout of Cedric Mullins on a wicked sweeper, the crowd of 25,253 was on its feet, some undoubtedly with memories of Armando Galarraga’s would-be perfect game nullified by a missed call at the end.

Adley Rutschman dashed those dreams to begin the eighth inning, fouling off a pair of full-count pitches before Hurter’s sweeper stayed well off the plate for ball four and Baltimore’s first baserunner. When the O’s brought up right-handed pinch-hitter Austin Slater, manager A.J. Hinch called on righty Brenan Hanifee, who retired the O’s in order from there to preserve the no-no -- and more importantly, the lead.

Tyler Holton, who has opened for the Tigers on occasion, retired Emmanuel Rivera and won a nine-pitch battle with pinch-hitter Coby Mayo with a called third strike. One out away from a no-hitter, Gunnar Henderson slashed a ground ball inside the first-base line and past Spencer Torkelson for a triple. Holton recovered to strike out Santander.

Kerry Carpenter’s first-inning home run -- a 414-foot launch off a Zack Eflin first-pitch curveball, served as the only run of the night. Eflin silenced Detroit’s young lineup from there, allowing five hits over 6 2/3 innings with three strikeouts.