DETROIT -- While everyone wonders how much the Tigers could sell at the MLB Trade Deadline, Detroit quietly continues to creep back into the American League playoff picture.
Zach McKinstry’s daring safety squeeze and James Outman’s two-run triple fueled a go-ahead five-run sixth inning, sending the Tigers to a 10-2 win over the Phillies Friday night at Comerica Park.
Kevin McGonigle and Spencer Torkelson added two-run homers for the Tigers, whose sixth straight win matches their longest streak of the season. They’ve won nine of their last 10 and own an AL-best 22-12 record since June 1, when they stood a season-low 16 games under .500.
Friday’s path to victory looked familiar, riding strong starting pitching and timely hitting. Jack Flaherty (3-8) gave up his first run since June 12 and his first home run since May 22, both at the hands of former Tiger Derek Hill, but held the Phillies to two runs on two hits over six innings with six strikeouts.
Flaherty left with a tied score heading into the bottom of the sixth. Aaron Nola struck out eight Tigers over five strong innings to keep the Phillies close, but Detroit’s offense erupted off the bullpen. Tim Mayza walked Riley Greene and Matt Vierling before Eduardo Valencia, making his first MLB start at DH after delivering a pinch-hit home run in his debut Thursday night, hit a go-ahead single.
While Vierling dashed home on McKinstry’s bunt, Mayza rushed the throw to first and sailed it into right field instead, putting a second runner on ahead of Outman’s three-bagger to the wall in right-center. Torkelson and Colt Keith homered in the seventh to put the game away.