Riley Greene takes off in Tigers win over Guardians with 2 HR, 4 RBIs
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CLEVELAND – Oh, the Detroit Tigers needed this one.
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Shoot, Riley Greene needed this.
Greene went 4-for-5, jacked a pair of solo home runs, added a double and knocked in four runs in all to lift the Tigers to a 6-0 victory over the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on Saturday, Sept. 5.
It was a game that felt like a giant, collective sigh of relief for the Tigers, a team that had endured several heartbreaking losses while losing 16 of 20 games, including getting swept in a doubleheader on Friday on a pair of walk-offs.
But it was like Greene said: Don’t worry, boys. Jump on my back. I got this.
Greene came into this game with just one homer and three RBIs in his past 15 games (which stretched all the way back to July, thanks to an injured list stint). But he wasn't the only Tiger to shine. Tigers left-hander Framber Valdez was outstanding, pitching one of his best games of the season. Rookie right fielder Ben Malgeri went 3-for-5 with an RBI. Kyle Finnegan blanked the Guardians in the eighth. And Beau Brieske finished it off in the ninth.
The win improved the Tigers to 65-77 and gained them a game on the Guardians, who opened Saturday in the third and final American League wild-card spot. Unfortunately for the Tigers, they're still 6½ out of a playoff spot.
At the plate: Kevin McGonigle vs. Parker Messick
This series features two of the top rookies in the American League. In fact, they are Nos. 1 and 2 in the eyes of Tigers manager A.J. Hinch. Obviously, the Tigers have infielder Kevin McGonigle, who is the favorite to win the AL Rookie of the Year Award. But Cleveland has its own candidate, Parker Messick, a 25-year-old left-hander who has been fantastic. He made his 28th start of the season on Saturday.
“I got Kevin's above Messick's season, so that will surprise nobody,” Hinch said, smiling, before Saturday's game. “But I certainly respect what he's done and what he's doing over there.”
Messick came into the game leading all qualified rookies in ERA (2.46) while ranking second in strikeouts (161), second in innings pitched (161), second in WHIP (1.02) and fifth in opponent batting average (.206).
"It's a really tough matchup because of his fastball – it's just dynamic," Hinch said. "He can kind of bully you in the strike zone. He's fearless how he attacks hitters. ... But I would like him to finish second in the Rookie of the Year ballot because Kevin has been exceptional.”
On this night, Greene was simply better than Messick.
Greene hammered a 407-foot homer in the first inning, giving the Tigers an early 1-0 lead. Greene pounced on a 90 mph cutter, jacking a ball that left his bat with a 106.9 mph exit velocity.
Greene had another great chance in the third inning. After a Gleyber Torres single and Hao-Yu Lee walk, Greene singled to center, driving in a run.
Then, Greene whacked his second homer in the sixth inning, as the Tigers took a 3-0 lead.
Messick went six innings and finished with a career-high 12 strikeouts.
Then, Greene continued his onslaught with a double in the seventh inning, going 4-for-4.
On the mound: Framber Valdez shines
Valdez pitched his best game in a month. He gave up just three hits in seven scoreless innings of work, recording three strikeouts and walked just one.
Valdez had given up at least three earned runs in his previous four starts.
The big key for Valdez was how he got out of trouble early in the game.
In the second inning, the Guardians had a tremendous opportunity. After singles by David Fry and Angel Genao, Petey Halpin moved them over with a sacrifice bunt. So, there were runners on second and third with one out. Serious trouble. But Valdez got Austin Hedges to flyout to Malgeri. And Brayan Rocchio – the hero in Friday's Game 1 – grounded out to shortstop John Peck to end the threat.
Next up: The finale
The Tigers and Guardians finish this four-game series – and the season series, which Cleveland has clinched with nine wins in 12 games – on Sunday (1:40 p.m., Detroit SportsNet). Right-hander Jackson Jobe (1-2, 4.63) will get the start for the Tigers while righty Gavin Williams (13-7, 3.81) will pitch for the Guardians.
After that, it's back to Detroit for the Tigers, who open a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins with an early Labor Day start of 3:10 p.m. at Comerica Park.
Contact Jeff Seidel: [email protected]. Follow him on X @seideljeff
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Riley Greene takes off in Tigers win over Guardians with 2 HR, 4 RBIs