The Tigers win their third in a row
Following an excellent outing against the Giants on Memorial Day Monday, the Tigers were hoping to make it three games in a row on their Tuesday evening outing. The Tigers were depending on Jack Flaherty to confound the Giants’ batters, while the Giants turned to Logan Webb.
Mike Yastrzemski kicked off the game for the Giants with a leadoff single. With two outs Jung Hoo Lee was hit by a pitch to put two on, but Flaherty was able to get out of the danger zone and finish the inning scoreless. There was also a new furry friend to bring the Tigers luck in the form of a squirrel.
In the home half, Gleyber Torres hit a one-out single, then with two outs, Riley Greene doubled to bring Torres home and put the Tigers on the board first.
Willy Adames singled to start the second, but a pop-out and double play quickly ended the inning. In the bottom of the inning, Wenceel Perez, just called up today to replace an injured Matt Vierling, in his first at-bat back, hit a solo homer as if he had never left.
Trey Sweeney got a one-out single, and then Kerry Carpenter reached on catcher interference. Unfortunately, the Tigers would need to settle for one, but it was a fine homecoming for Perez.
In the top of the third, Yastrzemski got a one-out walk, but two outs followed right behind him. Colt Keith tripled to start the home half, then Riley Greene singled to bring him home. The next three batters went down in order, but the Tigers had added to their lead.
In the fourth, the Giants went 1-2-3. The Tigers did the same in the home half.
Flaherty continued to dominate, especially with his curveball, with another 1-2-3 inning in the top of the fifth. His fastball has shown incredible command today, and it’s certainly showing when we compare it to some of his other recent outings. In the home half, after Bob Melvin of the Giants was ejected for chirping at the home plate umpire, Tony Randazzo.
Gleyber Torres walked, but was eliminated shortly thereafter by a double play. Then Riley Greene doubled, but was ultimately left stranded.
The sixth was 1-2-3 for both sides.
Flaherty’s day was done after six innings, going 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K on 97 pitches. A really great outing for Flaherty, showing precisely why the Tigers were eager to bring him back. Chase Lee came on to replace him. Willy Adames got a one-out single, but that was all the Giants could muster. Tristan Beck replaced Logan Webb in the home half and he got the Tigers out in order.
Patrick Bailey started off the seventh with a single, but a pitch-perfect (pardon the pun) double play eliminated the baserunner. A strikeout ended the inning. The Tigers went down in order in the bottom of the inning.
In the ninth, the Tigers turned things over to Will Vest to keep the Tigers in line for the win. He gave up a leadoff single to Heliot Ramos. Wilmer Flores doubled to score Ramos. Riley Greene got the first out of the inning with a gorgeous sliding catch. While it was a high-tension ninth, Vest ultimately came through with the final outs of the inning, and the Tigers walked away winners.
Final: Tigers 3, Giants 1