In a thrilling display of power hitting, the Detroit Tigers unleashed an offensive barrage in the ninth inning, overcoming an early deficit to secure a commanding 9-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night at Angel Stadium.
Riley Greene was the star of the show, belting two home runs during an eight-run ninth inning that left the Angels reeling. The Tigers, who had struggled to find their rhythm throughout the game, erupted in the final frame, hitting four home runs, three of which came off Angels closer Kenley Jansen, who entered the inning with the game tied at one.
The action began when Greene led off the ninth with a solo shot, igniting the Tigers’ offense. Just three pitches later, Colt Keith followed suit, launching a homer of his own. With two outs and a runner on first, Javier Baez added to the onslaught with a blast off Jansen, who ultimately surrendered six runs and six hits while recording only two outs.
Greene’s second homer of the inning was a three-run shot off Jake Eder that capped off the inning’s fireworks. Earlier in the game, Trey Sweeney had tied the score in the seventh inning with a home run that traveled down the right-field line.
The Tigers’ victory was a testament to their resilience, particularly considering they had trailed for most of the game. The Angels struck first, with Zach Neto leading off the bottom of the first inning with a home run, taking Tarik Skubal’s first pitch deep into left-center field for a 1-0 lead. It was a moment that seemed to set the tone for the Angels, but Skubal quickly settled down.
Skubal, who has established himself as one of the league's top pitchers, went on to pitch six solid innings, allowing just four hits and striking out eight without issuing a walk. He threw a total of 73 pitches and managed to keep the Angels from scoring again after Neto’s initial blast.
Despite the early lead, the Angels struggled to capitalize on their opportunities. In the third inning, they had a chance to extend their lead when Kyren Paris led off with a double and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Tim Anderson. However, Skubal struck out Neto with a high fastball, ending the threat and keeping the game within reach for the Tigers.
Tempers flared in that same inning when Skubal and Neto exchanged words after the strikeout, leading to both benches clearing. Skubal, visibly fired up after Neto’s homer, threw several pitches at 98 mph and above. After the strikeout, he appeared to say something to Neto, who responded, leading to a brief confrontation that was quickly diffused by teammates and coaches.
Angels manager Ron Washington downplayed the incident, saying, “I can only guess, because I never checked into it. He got him the first time, he struck him out the second time, and he probably said something to Neto.” Meanwhile, Skubal acknowledged the competitive nature of the exchange, stating, "It's competition. It's nothing personal at the end of the day. I think he's a really good baseball player. It's just competition, and I think it brings out the best in everybody.”
As the game progressed, the Tigers began to find their footing. Sweeney’s homer in the seventh inning not only tied the game but also shifted the momentum in favor of Detroit. The Tigers’ bats came alive in the ninth, showcasing their power and depth as they exploded for eight runs.
Reliever Tyler Horton earned the win for the Tigers, improving his record to 2-2, while Jansen took the loss, falling to 0-1. The defeat marked the Angels' seventh consecutive loss, deepening their struggles this season as they dropped to 12-19, last in the AL West.
With the victory, the Tigers improved to 21-12, boasting the best record in the American League. The team’s performance highlighted their potential as serious contenders this season, with Greene’s standout performance serving as a reminder of their offensive capabilities.
As the series continues, both teams will look to build on this game’s momentum. The Tigers will aim to maintain their winning ways, while the Angels, still searching for answers, hope to break their losing streak and regain their footing in the competitive AL West.
With two more games left in the series, fans can expect more excitement as these two teams battle it out on the diamond. Will the Tigers continue their offensive onslaught, or can the Angels find a way to turn things around?
