With the Detroit Tigers trailing 2-1 in the eighth inning, Riley Greene stepped up to the plate and launched a two-run homer off Colin Poche, giving the Tigers a 3-2 lead. Mark Canha followed suit with a solo drive to extend the lead to 4-2. Greene had earlier put the Tigers ahead 1-0 in the third inning with a towering 426-foot homer to center off Ryan Pepiot. He drew his 21st walk of the season in the first inning, showcasing his exceptional patience at the plate. Greene’s impressive performance came in front of approximately a dozen family members, including his parents and grandparents, who had traveled from Oviedo, Florida, to cheer him on. Greene expressed his gratitude for their support, saying, “It’s pretty cool to be able to do that in front of them.” Despite the Tigers’ victory, the Tampa Bay Rays faced disappointment, losing their fourth game in five and dropping to 12-13 overall. Isaac Paredes provided the lone homer for the Rays, who struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities, going 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position against Tigers’ starter Kenta Maeda. Maeda pitched five scoreless innings, allowing only three hits and lowering his ERA to 5.96. Randy Arozarena’s single in the sixth inning extended his April hit streak to seven games, but it was cut short by Detroit’s Jason Foley, who earned his seventh save in as many chances by retiring the Rays in order in the ninth inning. The Tigers’ Kerry Carpenter saw his seven-game RBI streak come to an end, while Tampa Bay’s Amed Rosario’s 14-game hitting streak also ended. In other news, the Rays received concerning updates on closer Pete Fairbanks, who underwent additional examinations due to nerve-related issues. Fairbanks experienced numbness in his fingers while throwing, and the issue has resurfaced recently. The right-hander is currently undergoing further evaluation, and the team awaits more definitive answers regarding his condition. Looking ahead, the Tigers will send RHP Jack Flaherty (0-1, 4.44 ERA) to the mound against the Rays’ LHP Tyler Alexander (1-0, 4.79 ERA) in Wednesday night’s matchup. Alexander spent five seasons with the Tigers from 2019-23, compiling a record of 11-23 in 120 games.
Greene Shines with 2 Homers, Tigers Clinch Unbeaten Road Series
