The Detroit Tigers and the Cincinnati Reds concluded a three-game series on Sunday, July 7, which saw the Tigers sweep the Reds and outscore them 15-8 over the series. The Reds had finished a seven-game road trip where they split a four-game series against the Cardinals and swept the Yankees in three games.
The series against the Reds completed the Detroit Tigers’ ten-game road trip where they also played against the Angels and Twins. The Tigers won one game against the Angels in a four-game set and only won one game against the Twins in three games. By sweeping the Reds though, it made their wins and losses during the trip 5-5 which all things considered is a ray of hope for Detroit Tigers fans.
Tigers-Reds Friday, July 5th
The Tigers and Reds started their series on Friday, July 5, and it saw the Tigers get the win 5-4. Detroit got off to a good lead thanks to the efforts of Parker Meadows and Colt Keith each hitting solo home runs in the top of the third inning. In the top of the fifth, Keith would make it into a multi-homer game for him when he hit a two-run homer driving in Matt Vierling from third base.
Spencer Steer made it 4-1 when he hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth and then former Tigers’ third baseman Jeimer Caldelairo hit a single driving in India in the bottom of the sixth making it 4-2. The Reds almost made a comeback in the bottom of the ninth, scoring two runs, but a homer by Riley Greene in the seventh gave Detroit the insurance run they needed to win.
Detroit Tigers Claw Back To Win 5-3 On Saturday
Saturday, July 6, was a bullpen day for the Tigers as they started Relief Alex Faedo on the mound against the Reds starter Hunter Greene. Faedo kept the Reds offense from scoring for the two innings he was in but Beau Brieske couldn’t do the same. In the bottom of the fifth, Brieske gave up a two-run double to Tyler Stephenson who drove in both Steer and Martini, making it 2-0 Reds.
In the top of the eighth, Detroit Tigers Right Fielder Wenceel Perez would tie the game with a two-run home run off Fernando Cruz. The Tigers would score three more runs thanks to a double by Canha, an RBI groundout via Greene, and another RBI double by Carson Kelly. Steer would hit a home run in the bottom of the ninth but the Reds couldn’t make a comeback as both Detroit pitchers Andrew Chafin and Jason Foley combined to shut the door.
Skubal Shuts Down Reds As Detroit Wins 5-1
Detroit Tigers ace and All-Star pitcher Tarik Skubal took the mound Sunday against Cincinnati and in a dominating performance, shut them down over seven innings of one-run ball with thirteen strikeouts. Skubal would give up a measly three hits and an earned run to Noelvi Marte who caused an RBI groundout which caused Jeimer Candelairo to score from third.
Detroit’s offense on the other hand would put up another five runs for the third day in a row thanks to McKinstry drawing first blood off Graham Ashcraft in the fourth, an RBI single thanks to Keith in the seventh which scored catcher Jake Rogers, a two-run homer via McKinstry in the eighth which also scored Urshela.
After the game, both Skubal and Greene were told by manager A.J. Hinch that they were going to Arlington for the MLB All-Star Game, the first time for each of them in their careers.
Injuries And Future Series
Parker Meadows suffered a hamstring injury in the eighth meaning he will more than likely be headed for the IL which is unfortunate for the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers will be heading home and facing the Guardians in Comerica Park over the next four days while the Reds will be staying at home and start a four-game set against the Rockies on Monday.
