Matt Vierling’s first 2025 homer, a go-ahead 3-run shot in 8th, lifts Detroit Tigers over LA Angels 6-5 on Aug 9, 2025; Melton wins, Finnegan 23rd save.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
That one felt like October. Down 5-3 in the eighth, the Tigers worked two walks off Angels reliever Reid Detmers and handed Matt Vierling a moment. He unloaded on his first home run of the season—a three-run blast that turned Comerica Park into a roar and a deficit into a 6-5 win. Rookie Troy Melton slammed the door in the middle innings for the W, Kyle Finnegan polished off his 23rd save, and Detroit held onto first place in the AL Central at 67-50.
“Matt Vierling’s first homer of the season was a three-run go-ahead blast in the eighth.”
You could see it building: Jahmai Jones, then Gleyber Torres, both grinding their way to walks against Reid Detmers. Then Vierling ambushed a mistake and sent it out for a go-ahead three-run shot. It’s not just the timing—his first homer of the year—it's the context. The Tigers have searched for length and leverage from their lineup all season; this was the kind of swing that echoes into the standings and the clubhouse. Patience created the opportunity, and Vierling cashed it in.
Tarik Skubal gave up back-to-back homers for the first time this season—a two-run shot to Gustavo Campero and a solo homer to Zach Neto—reminders that even aces get nicked. The difference with this team is the backup plan behind him. Riley Greene’s terrific play in center field late helped preserve the lead, a continuation of the plus defense that’s become part of Detroit’s identity. When the margin is razor-thin, one route taken cleanly can be the game.
The Tigers may have stumbled onto a late-inning formula. Troy Melton bridged 2 1/3 scoreless innings to collect his second win, showing poise and power that belie his rookie status. Then Kyle Finnegan—acquired from the Nationals earlier this season—handled the ninth for save No. 23. Since stepping into the closer’s role, Finnegan has stabilized the final three outs, and Melton’s emergence gives A.J. Hinch another trustworthy option for leverage pockets in the seventh and eighth.
Friday brought a bit of churn: the Tigers designated Luke Jackson for assignment and recalled Codi Heuer from Triple-A Toledo. Jackson had signed a major-league deal on July 26, but the club needs fresh, miss-bat options as the innings pile up. Heuer returns with a chance to carve out middle-to-late relief work—especially valuable as Hinch pushes matchups around Melton and Finnegan. Expect Detroit to keep stress-testing roles to maximize every high-leverage out.
Top prospect Kevin McGonigle continues daily rehab after hamate surgery on August 15, following a fracture sustained on August 10 at High-A West Michigan. Before the injury, he authored a standout first full season: a .309/.401/.452 line with 25 extra-base hits and 22 steals. The organization will be deliberate with his return—hamate recoveries are about feel and strength—but his on-base skills and athleticism remain a big part of Detroit’s infield future.
Wins like this are why you fight for first place. Detroit didn’t play perfect ball, but it stacked quality at-bats, trusted its defense, and let the bullpen do what a contender’s bullpen must. At 67-50, the Tigers keep control of the AL Central and send a message about how they can win in tight, playoff-style games. The series with the Angels continues at Comerica Park on Sunday. Watch for how Hinch deploys Melton, where Heuer slots in, and whether Vierling’s big fly unlocks more thump. Keep the walks coming, keep the gloves hot, and let the back end finish the script.
A grind-it-out August win that looked and felt like late September: timely patience, elite defense, and a bullpen that knows its job. If Detroit keeps stacking these, the path to October gets shorter and a lot louder.
