Detroit’s relentless youth movement fueled a sixth straight win, but a heartbreaking Cleveland walk-off keeps the streaking Tigers on the ropes in a high-stakes American League playoff hunt.
What do eight walks, one home run and just two hits allowed by your starting pitcher equate to?
A dominating 10-1 victory for the Detroit Tigers over the Toronto Blue Jays as they continue to sparkle with the season winding down.
The Tigers have now won six straight games and seven of their last eight. They have looked completely in control of their games and are continuing to fight with very little room for error.
Before getting into the game recap, however, let’s take a look at what everyone is wondering about.
Playoff Race
The Tigers entered the game 4.5 games back of Cleveland for the final American League Wild Card spot, with 12 games remaining on Detroit’s schedule.
The Tigers handled business and picked up the win. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Guardians faced off against the Chicago White Sox.
Chicago held a stranglehold on the game for much of the night, but Cleveland refused to quit.
In the ninth inning, Tigers killer Brayan Rocchio came to the plate with two runners on and two outs while trailing by one run. Rocchio hit a ball deep over the left fielder’s head, allowing both runners to score as the Guardians completed a walk-off victory.
Detroit was on the brink of cutting Cleveland’s lead to just 3.5 games with 11 games remaining. Instead, Cleveland’s late-game heroics kept the Tigers 4.5 games back with 11 games left.
The odds remain low, but the Tigers simply need to keep winning.
At this point, every game is essentially Game 7 for Detroit.
Many may not believe the Tigers can pull it off, but if you do, then join the club — because I do too.
Game Recap
This was truly a showing by both the Tigers’ hitting and pitching — excluding Kyle Finnegan.
Offensively, Detroit took the long route home, drawing eight total walks. Kevin McGonigle, who continues to make his case for the American League Rookie of the Year award, drew three of them.
Riley Greene continued his tear, notching his league-leading 20th hit of September while driving in a run. He finished 1-for-3 with a run and an RBI.
Eduardo Valencia, Ben Malgeri and John Peck also notched hits as the youth movement in Detroit continues to roll.
Speaking of that youth movement, Hao-Yu Lee entered the ninth inning with one hit before launching a ball into the second deck in Toronto for his ninth home run of the season.
Lee finished the game 2-for-5.
Max Clark also had a strong afternoon, finishing 2-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBIs.
Then there was Spencer Torkelson.
Torkelson blasted his 24th home run of the season and his second home run in the last three days. He is now riding a four-game hitting streak and continues to come through with clutch hits.
Tigers fans are used to the roller-coaster ride that is Torkelson, but when the highs come, it can be one of the most beautiful rides on the planet.
Torkelson added another hit, finishing 2-for-3 with three RBIs, three runs scored and a walk.
On the pitching side, it was Drew Anderson’s moment.
Anderson went five strong innings, allowing just two hits while striking out four and walking three. He continues to impress more and more every time he takes the mound.
Jacob Waguespack followed with two scoreless innings, allowing just one hit.
Kyle Finnegan, however, continued to struggle.
At this point, the Tigers may be better off leaving him in Toronto after tomorrow’s game.
Overall, the Tigers are showing an incredible amount of fight for a playoff spot they have no business being in at this point of the season.
But that won’t stop Detroit from battling.
The Tigers will look for their seventh straight victory tomorrow at 3:07 p.m. ET.
