- Greene's 4th HR sparks Tigers' 6-2 Game 2 victory
- Morton becomes MLB's first 6-loss pitcher in 2024
- McKinstry delivers two game-saving defensive plays
- Wolfram makes history as Davenport University's first MLB player
The Detroit Tigers cemented their resurgence with Saturday's dramatic twin bill sweep, leveraging clutch hitting and defensive gems to extend their home dominance. Riley Greene's second-game heroics against struggling veteran Charlie Morton highlighted a day where Detroit's young core outshined Baltimore's playoff-hopeful roster.
Charlie Morton's nightmare season reached new depths when Greene turned on a 94mph fastball, sending it 412 feet into right-center. The blast marked Morton's MLB-worst 15th allowed HR this season, continuing a troubling trend for the 40-year-old right-hander whose ERA ballooned to 6.84. Detroit's patient approach forced 5 walks against Morton, capitalizing on his declining command.
Zach McKinstry's left-field brilliance preserved both victories, first nabbing Cedric Mullins at home with a 94.3mph relay throw - Statcast's fastest outfield assist by a Tiger this season. His sixth-inning sprinting grab denied Ramón Laureano extra bases, showcasing the defensive versatility Detroit prioritized in offseason acquisitions.
The series revealed emerging patterns for both clubs: Detroit (21-18) now ranks 4th in MLB with 47 defensive runs saved, while Baltimore's bullpen ERA (4.31) ranks 23rd. A University of Michigan study notes Tigers home games generated $18.7M in local economic impact during April - a figure likely rising with their 7-2 homestand success.
Spencer Torkelson's power surge continued with 3 RBIs across both games, his .407 slugging percentage since May 1 ranking second among AL first basemen. When we get pitching and defense like today, we're tough to beat,Torkelson told reporters postgame, referencing Detroit's 12-3 record when scoring first.
History unfolded in the seventh as Holland, Michigan native Grant Wolfram became Davenport University's first MLB alumnus. The Division II program has produced 14 draft picks since 2016, part of Michigan's 39% growth in MLB talent development over the past decade according to Perfect Game analytics.
With Tarik Skubal scheduled for Sunday's finale, Detroit eyes its first series sweep of Baltimore since 2021. The Orioles (24-15) now trail Yankees by 2.5 games in the AL East, their road woes (9-11) becoming a growing concern. As the Tigers ascend in the Central, Saturday's doubleheader showcased the strategic blueprint that could make them surprise postseason contenders.