Matt Vierling hit his first home run of the season, a three-run shot in the eighth inning, to propel the Detroit Tigers to a 6–5 comeback victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night at Comerica Park. Detroit, which entered the game as slight -115 betting favorites, avoided a third straight loss despite a rocky middle stretch that saw its starting pitcher give up back-to-back home runs for the first time this season.
The Tigers trailed 5–3 heading into the bottom of the eighth when Angels reliever Reid Detmers issued consecutive walks to pinch-hitter Jahmai Jones and Gleyber Torres. Vierling came to the plate for Kerry Carpenter and drove a pitch over the bullpen in left field, giving Detroit a one-run lead it would not relinquish. The home run marked Vierling’s first since September of last season.
Detroit’s rally came after Tarik Skubal’s shortest start of the year. The left-hander began the game strong but ran into trouble in the fifth inning. With the Tigers ahead 3–1, Gustavo Campero tied the game with a two-run homer to left field. Just two pitches later, Zach Neto connected for his second home run off Skubal this season, giving Los Angeles a 4–3 advantage. Skubal retired Nolan Schanuel but allowed an infield single to Mike Trout, ending his outing after 4 2/3 innings.
The Angels extended their lead to 5–3 in the eighth when Jo Adell hit his 24th home run of the season, a solo shot off reliever Troy Melton. However, Melton (2–1) stayed in the game and earned the win by holding Los Angeles scoreless the rest of the way, aided by a key defensive play in the seventh inning when Riley Greene made a diving catch to rob Neto of an extra-base hit.
Detroit’s early offense came in the second inning after Los Angeles took a 1–0 lead on Logan O’Hoppe’s RBI double in the top half. Spencer Torkelson tied the game with his 25th home run, and Greene followed with a single before Zach McKinstry doubled to put runners on second and third. Javier Báez then blooped a two-run single to left, giving the Tigers a 3–1 lead.
Kyle Finnegan, recently named Detroit’s closer, pitched a scoreless ninth to secure his 23rd save of the season. The Angels managed only one baserunner in the inning but could not advance him into scoring position.
The game included a brief delay in the third inning when Angels center fielder Bryce Teodosio hit his head on the outfield fence after stumbling while catching a fly ball. He remained in the game initially but was replaced by Campero to start the fourth inning.
The win improved Detroit’s record to 58–61, while Los Angeles dropped to 54–62. The series continues Saturday evening, with the Tigers sending right-hander Charlie Morton (7–9, 5.20 ERA) to the mound for his second start with the team against Angels left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (5–7, 3.22 ERA).