Lee sparks big inning as Detroit Tigers salvage series finale vs. Reds
Lee's home run in the seventh inning, triggered a four-run frame and propelled the Tigers to an 8-3 road victory Sunday.
Cincinnati – The Tigers were a credible road team last year, going 41-40. So far this season, not so much. They had already been swept out of Arizona (three games) and Minnesota (four games) this season.
And they were nine outs away from getting broomed out of Cincinnati, as well. Until AJ Hinch played one of his lefty-slayer cards off the bench and altered the narrative. Down 3-2 in the top of the seventh, he sent up rookie Hao-Yu Lee to pinch-hit against lefty reliever Sam Moll with a runner on and no outs.
Lee unloaded on a four-seam fastball, driving it 402 feet into the right-centerfield stands. His first big-league homer couldn’t have come at a better time because it propelled the Tigers to an 8-3 victory over the Reds in the series finale at Great American Ball Park. Lee’s homer triggered a four-run inning.
The Tigers capitalized on another pitching decision by Reds’ manager Terry Francona. He brought in right-hander Pierce Johnson to face righty-swinging Spencer Torkelson, who had already doubled in the previous inning. Torkelson detonated an elevated, 95-mph four-seamer.