The Detroit Tigers opened their weekend series against the Colorado Rockies with a badly-needed win at Comerica Park on Friday night. Left fielder Riley Greene delivered an impressive performance, going 3-for-4 with a double, triple, and two RBIs. Greene broke the tie in the sixth inning with an RBI triple that pushed the Tigers ahead 2-1. He added another run-scoring hit in the eighth inning when he lined a double to score a run and extend the lead to 6-1. Detroit finished with only five hits, and Greene had three of them.
The 25-year-old has been a consistent force at the plate, with 19 home runs and 67 RBIs this season, according to NBC Sports. Greene had gone deep three times in a recent three-game stretch. He returned from the injured list on September 1 and is batting .361 in nine games since returning. Greene went 13-for-36 during that span. MLB records show Greene returned after missing about three weeks with a right hamstring strain.
The Tigers’ offensive effort was supported by starter Framber Valdez on the mound, according to a report from el-balad.com. Valdez pitched seven scoreless innings in his last outing against Cleveland, allowing just three hits and one walk, thespread.com reported. His season ERA now sits at 4.01, with 121 strikeouts in 163 2/3 innings pitched. Despite his strong outing, Valdez has shown inconsistency, particularly with walks during mid-August. Valdez allowed one unearned run on six hits over six innings against Colorado while walking two and striking out two.
The Rockies sent rookie Mason Adams to the mound for his fourth career start. Adams now has a 1.45 WHIP and 22 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings pitched. Colorado’s bullpen handled the middle innings after Adams completed five innings for the first time in his four major league starts. Adams allowed one run on two hits and three walks while striking out five.
The Tigers entered the game with a 67-79 record and a chance at making the playoffs. The Tigers had gone 4-6 in their last ten games, scoring 45 runs and allowing 55. The Rockies, on the other hand, are in a rebuilding phase with a 55-91 record and last in the NL West. They had lost four straight games before this matchup, including a sweep by the New York Yankees. The win improved Detroit to 68-79 and dropped Colorado to 55-92.
The game was played under tight betting lines, with Detroit favored to win on the moneyline. Despite heavy public betting on Detroit, the moneyline has not shifted significantly since the game began. The total was set at 8, and both sides of the over/under were priced at -110. One betting service listed Detroit at -185 with Colorado at +160.
The game’s outcome was influenced by the Tigers’ ability to score in key moments and Valdez’s strong performance on the mound. The Rockies’ lineup struggled against Detroit’s pitching, especially in the middle innings. This series is a key moment for both teams, with Detroit looking to maintain playoff hopes and Colorado focusing on development. Max Clark tied the game with a solo home run in the fifth inning, and Dillon Dingler added a two-run homer during Detroit’s four-run sixth. Colorado collected 10 hits to Detroit’s five but failed to turn most of those chances into runs. The Rockies also left the bases loaded in the fifth inning.
The Tigers’ young players have been getting more playing time under manager A.J. Hinch’s guidance. Kevin McGonigle and Max Clark were among those seeing regular at-bats in this game. McGonigle started at third base and Clark started in center field.
The game ended in a 6-2 victory for Detroit, reflecting a strong performance by the Tigers’ offense and solid pitching from Valdez. This win gives the Tigers some momentum as they continue their late-season push. The weekend series will continue with games scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at Comerica Park. Kenley Jansen recorded his 19th save after getting the final out in the ninth inning.
The game was broadcast on Detroit SportsNet, which became the Tigers’ local broadcast home this season. Fans and analysts are watching closely to see how both teams will perform in the remaining games of the season. Detroit SportsNet launched as the Tigers’ new local television and streaming home in 2026.
IMAGE: Riley Greene with the Toledo Mud Hens at Werner Park in Nebraska during an August 2021 game.. Photo: Minda Haas Kuhlmann / Wikimedia, taken 2021-08-31, CC BY 2.0