The Detroit Tigers finally put an end to their six-game losing streak Tuesday night, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1 behind a strong pitching performance and a memorable home run from rookie Max Clark.
Clark launched his second career home run in the fifth inning, and his first at Comerica Park, giving Detroit a 2-1 lead. The blast provided the Tigers with the spark they needed, while five Detroit pitchers combined to limit Tampa Bay to just one run.
Starter Jackson Jobe allowed one run over 4 1/3 innings before the Tigers bullpen took over. Four relievers combined to surrender only one hit, keeping the Rays off the scoreboard the rest of the way.
Drew Sommers was particularly impressive, retiring all five batters he faced to earn his first major league victory and improve to 1-3. Kenley Jansen closed out the game in the ninth inning for his 17th save of the season.
Detroit had entered the night in a difficult stretch, losing nine of its previous 10 games and falling 4 1/2 games behind Cleveland in the race for the American League’s third wild-card spot. The victory provided a much-needed boost for the Tigers as they try to remain in postseason contention.
Tampa Bay grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the fourth inning. Junior Caminero started the rally with a single and advanced to third on Liam Hicks’ double. Jonny DeLuca then brought Caminero home with an infield single.
The lead, however, would not last long. Detroit responded with three runs in the fifth inning. Clark’s solo homer put the Tigers ahead 2-1 and marked another important milestone in the young outfielder’s developing career.
Detroit added another run when Gleyber Torres reached on a pop fly that fell between second baseman Richie Palacios and DeLuca in right field. Seymour then balked, sending Torres to second, and Torres eventually scored when Jonathan Aranda misplayed Kevin McGonigle’s ground ball.
The Tigers had turned a one-run deficit into a 3-1 advantage, and their pitching staff made sure it held.
Detroit added another insurance run in the seventh. Javier Báez tripled and came home when Hao-Yu Lee lined a single to left field, giving the Tigers a 4-1 advantage. That was all the offense Detroit needed.
Tampa Bay starter Casey Legumina opened the game before Ian Seymour took over. Seymour, who fell to 9-5, allowed four runs three earned on seven hits over 5 2/3 innings.
The Rays have now lost eight of their last 12 games, adding to the importance of Wednesday’s series finale. The Tigers and Rays will finish their three game series Wednesday.
Detroit will send right hander Troy Melton to the mound with a 7-2 record and a sparkling 1.60 ERA. Tampa Bay will counter with right hander Freddy Peralta, who enters with a 5-11 record and a 5.33 ERA.
After a rough stretch that saw Detroit drop nine of 10 games, the Tigers will look to carry Tuesday night’s momentum into the series finale and continue their push toward the American League postseason race.
