Riley Greene Powers Tigers in Blowout Win Over Arizona \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The Detroit Tigers dominated the Arizona Diamondbacks 12-2 on Tuesday with a massive six-run fifth inning. Riley Greene led the way with three hits, including a home run, while Wenceel Pérez scored four times. The Tigers have now won three straight after a 1-12 slump.
Quick Looks
- Riley Greene had 3 hits, 3 runs, and 3 RBIs, including his 26th homer.
- Wenceel Pérez added 3 hits, 2 stolen bases, and 4 runs.
- Detroit scored six runs in the fifth and three more in the sixth.
- Gleyber Torres, Zach McKinstry, and Greene all homered.
- Tigers win their third straight after previously dropping 12 of 13.
- Arizona has now lost six of its last seven games.
- Brandon Pfaadt gave up five runs and took the loss.
- Casey Mize settled after a rocky start, limiting early Arizona damage.
- Arizona catcher Jose Herrera made his fourth career pitching appearance.
- Tigers debut Chris Paddack set to start in Wednesday’s finale.
Deep Look
Tigers Crush Diamondbacks 12-2 Behind Explosive Fifth Inning and Stellar Nights From Greene, Pérez
The Detroit Tigers delivered their most explosive offensive performance in weeks, riding a six-run fifth inning and a dominant all-around effort to defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks 12-2 on Tuesday night at Comerica Park. The blowout victory showcased the best of Detroit’s lineup, led by Riley Greene, Wenceel Pérez, and Gleyber Torres, in a game that signaled a potential turning point for a club emerging from a brutal slump.
Coming into the night, the Tigers had lost 12 of their last 13 games, struggling with offensive consistency and bullpen letdowns. But on Tuesday, everything clicked. Detroit tied the game in the fourth, then erupted for nine unanswered runs across the fifth and sixth innings, blowing open what had been a tight contest.
Riley Greene’s Power Surge Fuels Breakout Night
At the center of Detroit’s offensive firestorm was Riley Greene, who went 3-for-5 with a three-run homer, three RBIs, and three runs scored. His 26th home run of the season came in the fifth inning off Diamondbacks starter Brandon Pfaadt, a 2-run blast that gave Detroit a 5-2 lead and ignited a momentum swing that Arizona couldn’t recover from.
Greene wasn’t alone in his dominance. Kerry Carpenter chipped in with two doubles and a single, scoring twice and driving in a run. But perhaps no Tiger was more dynamic than Wenceel Pérez, who fell just a home run short of the cycle. The speedy infielder finished 3-for-5 with a triple, a double, four runs scored, two stolen bases, and a career-high performance that dazzled both fans and stat watchers.
Pérez’s triple in the sixth inning was part of a three-run outburst that extended Detroit’s lead to 11-2. His final plate appearance in the eighth inning gave him a chance to complete the cycle, but he grounded into a force at second base off emergency pitcher Jose Herrera.
Key Fifth Inning: Momentum Shifts With Long Ball Barrage
The turning point of the game came in the bottom of the fifth, when Detroit turned a tied 2-2 score into a blowout with an offensive clinic. After Pfaadt (now 10-7) retired the leadoff hitter, Gleyber Torres took him deep with a solo homer to right, giving Detroit its first lead of the game at 3-2.
Then the floodgates opened:
- Carpenter singled, setting up Greene’s towering two-run homer.
- Spencer Torkelson added a single.
- Pérez grounded into a fielder’s choice, narrowly avoiding a double play.
- Zach McKinstry followed with his ninth home run of the season, stretching the lead to 7-2.
- Ibáñez’s RBI single chased Pfaadt from the game and capped the six-run inning.
In total, the Tigers sent 10 batters to the plate, collecting six hits, three extra-base hits, and six runs in one of their most productive innings of the season.
Casey Mize Settles After Early Trouble
On the mound, Casey Mize started shakily, giving up a leadoff triple to Corbin Carroll, who scored one pitch later on Ketel Marte’s RBI single. The Diamondbacks loaded the bases with one out, threatening to blow the game open early. But Mize came up big, striking out Jake McCarthy and retiring Alek Thomas on a routine grounder to limit the damage.
Arizona made it 2-0 in the second on Geraldo Perdomo’s sacrifice fly, but Mize and the Tigers’ bullpen shut the door after that. Detroit responded in the fourth inning with Dillon Dingler’s two-run single to tie the game and never looked back.
Mize, who has battled injuries and inconsistency throughout the year, delivered a composed outing. He showed excellent command in the middle innings and earned praise from manager A.J. Hinch for escaping early trouble and staying focused when the game turned in Detroit’s favor.
Arizona Falters on Both Sides
It was a night to forget for Arizona, which has now lost six of its last seven and continues to fall behind in the National League playoff race. Starter Brandon Pfaadt was tagged for seven runs on nine hits in just 4.2 innings, and the bullpen fared little better. Emergency pitcher Jose Herrera, normally a catcher, made his fourth career pitching appearance, giving up a run in the eighth and seeing his ERA rise to 6.75.
Offensively, the Diamondbacks failed to capitalize on early momentum. Their only runs came in the first two innings, and they left runners stranded in key situations. Outside of Carroll and Marte’s opening rally, the bats fell silent, going hitless for long stretches after the fourth.
Arizona also played without third baseman Eugenio Suárez, who was hit on the right hand by a pitch Monday night. X-rays were negative, and he’s considered day-to-day, but his absence was noticeable as the team struggled both defensively and at the plate.
What’s Next
The Tigers and Diamondbacks wrap up their series Wednesday afternoon. Detroit will send newly acquired right-hander Chris Paddack (3-9, 4.95 ERA) to the mound for his Tigers debut, following a midseason trade with the Minnesota Twins. Arizona counters with Ryne Nelson (6-2, 3.29 ERA), who has quietly been one of the team’s more effective starters.
With momentum back on their side, the Tigers will look to sweep the series, build on their three-game winning streak, and re-establish consistency before heading into August.
Riley Greene Powers Riley Greene Powers
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