The Detroit Tigers split a doubleheader with the Pirates on June 20, as a Riley Greene-led 9-2 win was followed by a controversial 8-4 extra-inning loss.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Friday at Comerica Park was a perfect microcosm of a baseball season: the highest of highs followed by the most frustrating of lows. The Detroit Tigers showcased their potential with a 9-2 demolition of the Pittsburgh Pirates in Game 1 of their doubleheader, only to see a potential sweep evaporate in a chaotic, controversial 8-4 extra-inning loss in the nightcap. One game was a cruise; the other was a car crash.
Top prospect Kevin McGonigle is hitting a blistering .382/.488/.647 in High-A, a sign that more help is on the way.
The afternoon affair was all Detroit. The offense, which can sometimes go quiet, erupted early and often in the 9-2 victory. The star of the show was Riley Greene, who looked every bit the franchise cornerstone, driving in four runs and setting the tone. It was the kind of complete performance fans have been craving, with the lineup providing overwhelming support for the pitching staff in front of a buzzing crowd of over 33,000.
The nightcap felt destined for a different, more dramatic ending. After falling behind early, the Tigers clawed their way back, capped by a massive two-run shot from rookie Colt Keith in the seventh to tie the game 4-4. The kid just keeps delivering. But the good vibes ended in the 10th. A controversial play at the plate on a Ke'Bryan Hayes single saw the go-ahead run score for the Pirates. Manager A.J. Hinch vehemently argued the call, earning a quick ejection and firing up the crowd. The inning unraveled from there, with the Pirates piling on four runs to seal the win. To cap off the bizarre frame, a group of fans was even ejected after a confrontation with Pirates outfielder Tommy Pham, adding a sour note to a frustrating loss.
If the Game 2 loss left a bad taste in your mouth, here's the palate cleanser: the farm system is thriving. While the big-league club fought it out in Detroit, the organization's affiliates are racking up wins, with Single-A Lakeland leading its division. The real headline-grabber is top prospect Kevin McGonigle, who is absolutely tearing up High-A pitching. His torrid pace has him on the fast track for a promotion to Double-A Erie and serves as a powerful reminder that the talent pipeline is stronger than it's been in years. The future is bright, and it's coming fast.
Splitting a doubleheader always feels a bit hollow, especially when the loss comes gift-wrapped in controversy and late-game mistakes. But let's not lose sight of the big picture. The Tigers proved in Game 1 they can dominate. Young players like Colt Keith are proving they belong. And down on the farm, a wave of talent is on the horizon. The key now is to shake off the frustration of Game 2, channel that Game 1 energy, and come out ready to win the series tomorrow.
