ST. PETERSBURG -- Gleyber Torres said he can’t hit a five-run home run to spark the Tigers’ offense. But upon returning from the injured list Tuesday night, he proved perfectly capable of providing a boost with a leadoff homer off Rays left-hander Steven Matz in his first MLB at-bat in about a month.
The Tigers rolled from there, crushing Matz and the Rays bullpen for an 8-0 win that clinched their first series win in exactly a month, and their first series victory on the road since their season-opening visit to San Diego. They’ve won back-to-back games for the first time since May 2-3 against the Rangers at Comerica Park.
Torres’ return from a left oblique strain provided an immediate lift for a Tigers lineup that struggled through May with a .204 team batting average and .597 OPS for the month before breaking out for 10 runs on Monday.
He was slashing .259/.389/.328 for a 104 OPS+ at the time of his injury. What was originally hoped to be a mild strain and a potentially minimal IL stint turned out to be more persistent, requiring a more deliberate progression. Torres made a couple starts on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo over the weekend before joining the Tigers at Tropicana Field to work out on Monday.
“First time [on rehab Saturday] was awful,” Torres said Monday. “Timing was awful. But mentally, too, I took the first three at-bats just overthinking if I’m going to feel anything. Sunday was a little better because of the confidence I got the first couple at-bats [Saturday], and I just went to do my normal swing. Don’t think anything, just play like normal.
“I feel like I’m healthy. I just took those couple games to try to figure out timing. I know it’s not too much, but it’s just trying to do the right thing and be ready.”
He appeared quite ready Tuesday, working a 3-1 count against Matz before crushing a sinker a Statcast-projected 433 feet to left-center field. It was the fifth leadoff homer of Torres’ career.
“My swing is there,” Torres said. “Hopefully power and consistency come back after that type of rest.”
The Tigers picked up on his lead, pummeling Matz – previously known to Tigers fans for giving up Miguel Cabrera’s 500th career home run five years ago in Toronto – for as many runs (five) as outs recorded. Matt Vierling followed Torres’ homer with a triple and scored on Dillon Dingler’s sacrifice fly, one of three on the night for Detroit.
Wenceel Pérez’s two-run home run – his third homer in six days – powered a three-run second inning that chased Matz from the game. Vierling doubled home Zack Short for a 5-0 lead that put Detroit in command.
Riley Greene’s seventh-inning solo homer just inside the foul pole pushed the Tigers to 18 runs over two games in their series at Tropicana Field. They’ve posted their two highest run totals since April, and seemingly put their May struggles to bed.
“We know how we play right now. It’s no secret,” Torres said. “But it’s kind of motivation for us, and especially for me. I don’t want to try to be a hero. I can’t hit a five-run homer. I just try to do whatever I can do, pass the baton and try to bring a little bit more energy. I think that’s what we need, especially in this type of stretch.”