The Tigers lost 11-1 to the Reds on June 15, 2025, as Jack Flaherty struggled. Can Detroit's pitching staff recover after another blowout loss at home?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a day to forget at Comerica Park. The Detroit Tigers, leaders of the AL Central, were dismantled 11-1 by the Cincinnati Reds, marking their second consecutive loss where the pitching staff has surrendered double-digit runs. The lopsided defeat in the series finale raises serious questions about the rotation's stability, even as the team maintains its top spot in the division.
The Tigers have now given up double-digit runs in each of their last two losses.
The game was decided by a disastrous fifth inning where the Reds hung a six-spot on the board, punctuated by a grand slam from catcher Tyler Stephenson. That was just part of the onslaught, as Elly De La Cruz, Spencer Steer, and Matt McLain also went deep for Cincinnati. Starter Jack Flaherty had a brutal outing, lasting only 4 2/3 innings while getting tagged for seven runs on five hits, including three homers and five walks. The offense couldn't muster any support, with Wenceel Pérez driving in the lone Detroit run with a single in the fourth.
Amid the on-field struggles, there was a mixed bag of news on the personnel front. The good news is that outfielder Matt Vierling has officially begun a rehab assignment with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens. His bat will be a welcome addition upon his return. However, the team also delivered a blow to its future pitching depth, transferring top prospect Jackson Jobe from the 15-day to the 60-day injured list, significantly pushing back his timeline for a return.
While Sunday's loss was a brutal one, it's a single game in a long season. The Tigers remain in first place, but the starting pitching needs to find its footing, and fast. With Matt Vierling working his way back and a chance to reset, the team will look to put this series behind them and prove that these recent blowouts are an anomaly, not the new norm.
