DETROIT -- What began as a pitchers' duel between Rangers youngster Jack Leiter and the Tigers’ bullpen turned on a Spencer Torkelson two-run home run in the fifth inning, sending Detroit on its way to a 7-1 victory Sunday night in the rubber match of a three-game series at Comerica Park.
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch, tasked with filling injured starter Casey Mize's rotation spot without an obvious replacement, revived the “pitching chaos” strategy he rode to a playoff run in 2024. Tyler Holton’s start lasted just three batters and two-thirds of an inning, long enough for him to match up against the dangerous left-handed hitters in the top third of the Texas lineup. With two outs, Hinch turned to Brenan Hanifee for the rest of the Rangers’ order before lefty Brant Hurter took the second turn through the lineup.
While Hinch mixed and matched his way through the Ranger Nine, Leiter -- who was roughed up in his MLB debut at Comerica Park two years ago -- cruised through the Tigers’ order for four innings, retiring Detroit’s first 12 batters in order with six strikeouts. With a fastball crossing 98 mph and a curveball that was dropping into the strike zone at 84 mph, Leiter kept Tigers hitters guessing until he worked back into the middle of the order in the fifth.
Riley Greene led off the fifth inning with a four-pitch walk, giving the Tigers their first baserunner of the evening. Torkelson brought him around by making Leiter pay for a hittable 0-2 pitch, a hanging slider that Torkelson drove deep to left. Torkelson’s sixth home run of the season was his first since his five-game homer streak last week.
Torkelson’s drive was one of a few critical spots where the Tigers tormented Leiter with two strikes. Jake Rogers hit an 0-2 pitch for a line drive that bounced past sliding center fielder Evan Carter for a triple leading off the sixth inning. Kevin McGonigle drove him in by lining an 0-2 pitch to right field for an RBI single. Hao-Yu Lee chased Leiter in the seventh by working out of an 0-2 hole to send a 2-2 pitch through the right side for an RBI single and a four-run lead. McGonigle tacked on another RBI single later in the inning off former Tiger Tyler Alexander.
Hurter (4-0) tossed 3 1/3 scoreless innings to earn his team-leading fourth win of the season. With Tarik Skubal and Framber Valdez slated to start the next two nights against the Red Sox, the long end of the bullpen should get some much-needed rest as a reward.