Riley Greene's 2 HRs and 6 RBI led the Detroit Tigers to an 11-2 rout of the Nationals on July 2. Rookie Dylan Smith earned his first MLB win. Recap!
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
What a way to kick off a doubleheader! The Detroit Tigers ambushed the Washington Nationals in the nation's capital, exploding for six runs in the first inning and never looking back en route to a dominant 11-2 victory. The story of the day was Riley Greene, who put on an absolute clinic with a career-high six RBI, but the feel-good moment belonged to rookie Dylan Smith, who locked down the win for his first-ever MLB victory.
With 2 home runs and 6 RBI... Riley Greene now has 21 homers on the season and continues to be a key offensive force for Detroit.
Riley Greene is making a serious case for an All-Star spot, and today was Exhibit A. The Tigers' star outfielder was a one-man wrecking crew, launching two home runs—his 20th and 21st of the season—and driving in a career-best six runs. His bat was the engine behind the Tigers' early and overwhelming offensive assault, setting a tone the Nationals simply couldn't match. Every time Greene stepped to the plate, it felt like something big was about to happen, and he delivered in spectacular fashion.
While Greene provided the fireworks, rookie right-hander Dylan Smith provided the stability to bring it home. Entering in relief, Smith was brilliant, tossing 3.1 scoreless innings to earn his very first Major League win. He allowed just two hits and showed veteran poise, especially when he escaped a bases-loaded jam in the seventh to extinguish any hope of a Washington comeback. It was a memorable debut in the win column for a kid who could be a key piece for the bullpen moving forward.
It wasn't all good news in Tiger Town. The team made a flurry of roster moves before the game, placing outfielder Kerry Carpenter on the 10-day IL with a right hamstring strain and pitcher Sawyer Gipson-Long on the 15-day IL with neck stiffness. Losing Carpenter's bat is a significant blow. To fill the gaps, the Tigers called up a trio of prospects from Toledo: shortstop Trey Sweeney, LHP Bailey Horn, and RHP Tyler Owens. It's a 'next man up' situation, and Detroit's depth will be tested immediately.
In a game dominated by Greene's heroics, it's easy to overlook other key contributions. But Zach McKinstry quietly had a fantastic day at the plate, racking up four hits in five at-bats. His performance was crucial in keeping the lineup moving and turning it over for the big bats. It was a total team effort, and McKinstry's day is a perfect example of the offensive depth that led to 11 runs on the board.
While today's lopsided victory is a reason to celebrate, the celebration is tempered by the roster shuffle. The Tigers will need to carry this offensive momentum into the second game of the doubleheader and beyond, especially with key players like Carpenter on the shelf. Can the new faces from Toledo step up? Can the offense keep firing on all cylinders? Game 2 will give us our first glimpse.
