Tigers Rally to Edge Angels 6-5

In a nail-biting finish, the Detroit Tigers triumphed over the Los Angeles Angels 6-5, thanks to Matt Vierling's three-run homer in the eighth inning. This decisive hit came after the Angels had taken a 5-3 lead, shifting the momentum back to Detroit.

Reliever Reid Detmers (3-3) struggled at the start of the eighth, issuing walks to pinch-hitter Jahmai Jones and Gleyber Torres. Vierling, stepping in for Kerry Carpenter, launched his first homer of the season over the left-field bullpen, igniting the Tigers' comeback.

Tarik Skubal faced challenges on the mound, allowing back-to-back homers for the first time this season. In the fifth inning, with Detroit ahead 3-1, Gustavo Campero's two-run shot shifted the game’s dynamics. Shortly after, Zach Neto's second homer against Skubal this season put Los Angeles in front.

Despite Skubal's struggles, he managed to strike out Nolan Schanuel before Mike Trout concluded Skubal's shortest outing of the year with an infield single.

Troy Melton (2-1) earned the win after delivering 2 1/3 innings of solid relief. New closer Kyle Finnegan secured his 23rd save by pitching a flawless ninth inning.

The scoring began in the second inning when Logan O'Hoppe's RBI double gave the Angels an early 1-0 lead. However, Detroit quickly responded with three runs in the bottom half. Spencer Torkelson opened with his 25th homer, followed by Riley Greene's single and Zach McKinstry's double. Javier Báez capped off the rally with a two-run bloop single.

Jo Adell's 24th homer in the eighth briefly restored the Angels' lead at 5-3, but it was not enough to secure a win.

A brief delay occurred in the third inning when Angels centerfielder Bryce Teodosio stumbled while attempting to catch a fly ball, hitting his head on the fence. He remained in the game but was replaced by Campero in the fourth.

In a critical moment during the seventh, Neto hit a powerful line drive to left field at 106.7 mph, but Greene's diving catch preserved the Tigers' chances and allowed Melton to escape unscathed.

Skubal had not allowed back-to-back homers since July 25, 2021, when Salvador Perez and Jorge Soler accomplished the feat during a game against the Kansas City Royals.

The two teams will meet again on Saturday evening, with Detroit's RHP Charlie Morton (7-9, 5.20) set to face LHP Yusei Kikuchi (5-7, 3.22) in what promises to be another exciting matchup.