The Detroit Tigers just bagged their fifth win in a row on Monday night, pulling off a comeback victory against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Closing pitcher Kenley Jansen locked down his 496th major league save, putting an exclamation mark on what sounds like a wild ride.
Melton Digs a Hole Early, But the Bullpen Bends
Talk about a rocky start, man. Tigers pitcher Troy Melton got knocked out early, struggling to find his stuff. Right from the jump in the bottom of the first, Brett Bateman slapped a single past Hao-Yu Lee. Then there was a whole mess with a stolen base challenge by Dillon Dingler that went sideways on a called ball, putting George Springer on base too. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. grounded out, runners advanced, and then Alejandro Kirk singled Bateman home for a 1-0 Blue Jays lead. Melton then threw a wild pitch, letting Springer score and making it 2-0. He finally got Lukes and Okamoto out, but the damage was done in a hurry. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays, after struggling through the first half and moving Kevin Gausman, are in the thick of the wild card race, with José Soriano on the mound for them.
The Young Guns Step Up When It Matters Most
Melton was living very dangerously through the second inning too. Andrés Gimenez singled, but Melton did manage to strike out Josh Smith. Ernie Clement singled, and after freezing Bateman with a perfect fastball, Melton walked Springer to load the bases. He somehow tied up Guerrero with a sinker to get a ground out to McGonigle, escaping that jam by the skin of his teeth. The Tigers went 1-2-3 in the top of the third, with Spencer Torkelson even blowing their last challenge on a bad strike call. Melton’s faltering command kept up in the bottom of the third, walking Kirk and giving up a double to Lukes on a first-pitch curveball as he hunted for a sharp slider, cutter, or changeup. His pitch count was soaring, but he whiffed Gimenez and got Okamoto to ground out. The source cuts off with him walking Smith, but we know the bullpen managed to bend without breaking, and the young Tigers hitters were center stage, fighting back repeatedly with good at-bats late in this one to secure the win.
What a battle! The Tigers proved they’ve got the grit to fight back, extending their red-hot win streak to five straight. This was just the first game of three against a Blue Jays squad still in the thick of the wild card race, so you know the next two games are gonna be electric.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bless You Boys.
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