The Detroit Tigers showed their power at the plate on Tuesday night as they defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-3 at PNC Park. Leading the charge were Wenceel Pérez and veteran Javier Báez, who both delivered crucial hits and helped the Tigers end their two-game losing streak.
It was a strong night for the Tigers’ offense, with the team combining for 12 hits. Wenceel Pérez, who is quickly becoming one of the more consistent hitters on the roster, went 3-for-5 with two doubles and an RBI. His aggressive approach at the plate and smart base running gave Detroit several scoring opportunities. His performance stood out early in the game, especially in the second inning when he drove a double into the gap and later scored on a single from Zach McKinstry.
Javier Báez, often criticized this season for inconsistency, made a statement with a two-run home run in the fourth inning, giving Detroit a comfortable 5-1 lead. Báez’s homer came off Pirates starter Bailey Falter, who struggled to keep Tigers hitters in check throughout the game. Báez finished 2-for-4 with a home run and a single, raising hopes that he might be turning a corner in what has been a slow season so far.
Detroit starter Keider Montero, making his first MLB start, pitched five solid innings, allowing just one run on four hits and striking out five. His calm and composed presence on the mound gave the Tigers a good foundation to build their lead. Montero kept the Pirates guessing with a mix of fastballs and sliders, and aside from a solo home run by Nick Gonzales in the second inning, he kept Pittsburgh’s offense quiet.
The Tigers added two more insurance runs in the sixth and seventh innings. Matt Vierling had an RBI double in the sixth, while Mark Canha brought home another run in the seventh on a sacrifice fly. That gave the Tigers a 7-1 lead before the Pirates managed to score twice in the eighth off the bullpen, with one of the runs coming from a solo home run by Bryan Reynolds.
Despite the late push from the Pirates, Detroit’s bullpen held firm. Tyler Holton and Will Vest pitched clean innings to close out the game and secure the win. The victory was a much-needed one for the Tigers, who had been struggling with offensive consistency in recent games.
Detroit manager A.J. Hinch praised his team’s approach after the game. He noted how important it was to get early offense and support the young starting pitcher. Hinch also highlighted Báez’s leadership and Pérez’s continued development, saying both were key to Tuesday’s success.
On the Pirates’ side, Bailey Falter lasted just four innings, giving up five runs on eight hits. It was a rough outing for the left-hander, who had been solid in his previous few starts. Pittsburgh’s bullpen tried to keep the game close, but the damage had already been done by the time Falter exited.
The Pirates’ offense struggled to find rhythm outside of a few solo shots. Nick Gonzales and Bryan Reynolds were the only bright spots, with each hitting solo home runs. Andrew McCutchen reached base twice but couldn’t spark a bigger rally.
With the win, the Tigers improved their record and gained some momentum heading into their next set of games. The performance of young players like Pérez, along with the return to form by veterans like Báez, gives Detroit fans something to be hopeful about. As the season continues, consistency from the offense and reliability from the starting rotation will be key to staying competitive in the AL Central.
The two teams will meet again for the final game of the short series, with the Tigers looking to sweep and the Pirates hoping to bounce back at home. It remains to be seen if Báez can continue this hot streak and if Pérez can maintain his impressive pace, but for now, Detroit has reason to celebrate a well-rounded team win.
