Tigers salvage one game in Atlanta, rally with four late runs
The Tigers scored four late runs to prevent a three-game sweep in Atlanta.
Atlanta – So long, April. Good riddance. Injuries, inconsistent offense and defense, untimely bullpen breakdowns and way too many days on the road culminated in a frustrating month.
But the Tigers will go to the new month on the wings of a series-salvaging 5-2 win against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park, ending a 10-game losing streak to the Braves and finishing April with a 14-13 record.. Held dormant since the third inning Wednesday night, the Tigers’ bats pushed across two runs to flip the scoreboard in the eighth inning. Down 2-1 and facing right-handed reliever Joel Payamps, Kerry Carpenter tripled off the wall in center and scored the tying run on a sizzling double by Matt Vierling into the left-field corner.
It was Vierling’s second hit and second RBI. After a walk to Hao-Yu Lee and a strikeout by pinch-hitter Dillon Dingler, Braves manager Walt Weiss brought in lefty Aaron Bummer to face rookie Kevin McGonigle. McGonigle, who already extended his MLB-longest on-base streak to 27 games, walked to load the bases.
It was his third walk of the game. Gleyber Torres, who had three singles, followed with a sacrifice to center. Vierling struck again in the ninth.