Spencer Torkelson Delievers Another Game Winner
Detroit snapped a three-game losing as Spencer Torkelson’s ninth-inning heroics and a dominant relief effort from Drew Anderson salvaged a bullpen-heavy night at Comerica Park.
Tigers Take Game 1 against Toronto The Tigers did not need a perfect night. They needed a clean enough one. After six straight losses, including a stretch defined by missed chances and one-run frustration, Detroit finally found a way to close one out Friday night at Comerica Park, beating the Toronto Blue Jays, 3-2, on Spencer Torkelson’s walk-off single in the ninth inning.
The Tigers also caught Toronto at a good time. The Blue Jays came into the series fighting through their own issues, and Detroit needed to take advantage of a struggling team that has not been playing clean baseball. That does not take anything away from the win.
After the way the last week had gone, the Tigers needed to beat the team in front of them. Friday night, they did. Matt Vierling opened the ninth with a single off Jeff Hoffman, then stole second to put the winning run in scoring position.
After Zach McKinstry was intentionally walked, Torkelson lined a single into right field, scoring Vierling and ending Detroit’s skid. It was not a loud offensive night. It was not a comfortable one, either.