The Detroit Tigers' offense stalled in a 3-0 shutout loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 22, 2025. Riley Greene & Gleyber Torres were silenced. Read how the loss impacts their AL Central lead.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Well, you can't win them all. The Detroit Tigers' recent hot streak came to an abrupt halt in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, as the bats went completely cold in a frustrating 3-0 shutout loss to the Pirates. For a team that has been cruising, seeing stars like Riley Greene and Gleyber Torres held hitless was a jarring sight. The loss drops the Tigers to 60-41, but let's take a deep breath—they still command a massive 10-game lead in the AL Central.
Even with a comfortable 10-game cushion in the AL Central, getting shut out by a 40-61 Pirates team serves as a stark reminder that you can't take any night off.
The final score says it all: Pirates 3, Tigers 0. After a string of impressive wins, the Detroit offense simply couldn't find its rhythm at PNC Park. The team managed just a handful of hits, and the big bats were silenced. Riley Greene, with his 25 homers and 79 RBIs, was kept in the yard and off the bases, and Gleyber Torres couldn't spark a rally. While the pitching did its best to keep the game within reach, the complete lack of run support was insurmountable. It's a tough loss against a sub-.500 team, but it's just one blemish on an otherwise stellar 60-41 record.
While the offense struggled Tuesday, the front office was busy making moves to strengthen the pitching staff for the stretch run. In a pair of key developments, the team sent reliever Alex Lange on a rehab assignment and signed veteran righty Tanner Rainey to a minor league deal. These moves signal that the team is focused on fortifying the bullpen, an area that will be critical for locking down wins in August and September.
The biggest news off the field is the return of Alex Lange to the mound. He was officially sent to Triple-A Toledo to begin a rehab assignment. Lange, who has been sidelined on the 60-day IL with a right lat strain, was a key piece of the bullpen before his injury. His successful return would be like making a major trade deadline acquisition without giving up any prospects. Getting his high-leverage arm back for the playoff push would be a massive boost.
In another move to add depth, the Tigers inked right-handed pitcher Tanner Rainey to a minor league contract. Rainey is a veteran reliever who will report to the minors to work his way back. This is a classic low-risk, potentially high-reward signing. If Rainey can find his form, he could provide another experienced option for the bullpen later this season. If not, it costs the team very little. It's a smart piece of business.
Tuesday's loss was a dud, no doubt about it. But let's keep it in perspective. The Tigers are still in a fantastic position, and the front office is actively working to get the team healthy and deeper for the games that matter most. With Lange on the mend and a new arm in the system, the focus now shifts to bouncing back tomorrow and reminding the league why this team has a 10-game lead. One quiet night at the plate doesn't change the goal: an AL Central crown.
