The Detroit Tigers secured a crucial 4-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Sunday, clinching the series and keeping their wild-card hopes alive.
After a slow start, the Tigers found their rhythm in the fifth inning, thanks to Spencer Torkelson, who hit a two-run homer that put Detroit ahead for good.
The game began with the Tigers struggling to get on base, but Kerry Carpenter's walk in the fifth broke the ice.
Torkelson followed up with a powerful swing, sending a curveball over the left-field wall and into the bullpen. This marked Torkelson's eighth home run of the season.
"I've faced Rich a couple times," Torkelson said. "I even got my first big-league hit off of him, so I knew what to expect going into the at-bat. I know that on the scoreboard it says 87, 88 (miles per hour), but it's sneaky. You can't treat it like that. I treat it a little firmer, just so it doesn't surprise you."
Riley Greene added to the Tigers' lead in the sixth inning with a two-run homer, scoring Parker Meadows from first base. Greene now leads the team with 20 home runs and 58 RBIs this season.
On the mound, Brant Hurter delivered a solid performance, allowing just one run over five innings while scattering six hits.
He managed to escape a jam in the second inning, inducing a double play to end the threat. This outing marked Hurter's first time pitching five innings while allowing one or fewer runs in his career.
"It was a cool feeling," Hurter said of the double play. "I was actually talking to Beau about it, I've never really gotten that opportunity. I've been playing baseball 20-something years, and I haven't gotten that opportunity. It was really cool, first pitch, just getting a double play and getting out of it for your team is a cool experience."
The Tigers' bullpen, featuring Will Vest and Jason Foley, held the Red Sox scoreless for the final 2⅔ innings, sealing the win.
With a 4-2 record in their recent home stand, the Tigers now head to California for a six-game road trip against the San Diego Padres and the Oakland Athletics.
