TIGERS ON FIRE: Colt Keith’s 7th-Inning Heroics Lift Detroit to Fifth Straight Win in 4-2 Victory Over Rays
By [joyce]
DETROIT — In a season where the Detroit Tigers are determined to prove they’re more than just rebuilding, rookie sensation Colt Keith delivered a breakout performance Tuesday night that had Comerica Park roaring — and sent a clear message to the rest of the American League.
Keith smashed a crucial RBI single and later blasted a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh, powering the Tigers to a 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays and extending Detroit’s winning streak to five games.
“Colt’s been grinding all year, and tonight he showed exactly why he belongs here,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said after the game. “Those were two huge swings that completely changed the game.”
A Tight Contest Early
The game started as a classic pitcher’s duel, with Detroit starter Jack Flaherty working efficiently through the Rays lineup. Over 6 1/3 innings, Flaherty scattered just five hits while striking out eight and allowing two runs. He mixed his fastball and breaking pitches to keep Tampa Bay’s hitters off balance, showing flashes of the dominant form that made him one of baseball’s most coveted arms a few seasons ago.
“It’s always fun when you’re in rhythm out there,” Flaherty said in the clubhouse, sweat still dripping from his brow. “I just tried to attack and give our team a chance.”
The Rays managed to scratch across single runs in the fourth and sixth innings, briefly holding a 2-1 lead. But the Tigers refused to let the game slip away, buoyed by strong defense and timely hitting.
Keith Breaks It Open
After delivering an RBI single earlier in the game, Keith stepped to the plate in the seventh with one on and one out. On a 2-1 pitch from Rays reliever Colin Poche, Keith crushed a fastball deep over the right-field wall for his fifth home run of the season, flipping a 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 Tigers lead and sending the crowd of 23,487 into a frenzy.
“I just wanted to put a good swing on it,” Keith said with a grin. “I was looking for something up in the zone, and luckily I got it.”
The young infielder has emerged as one of the brightest spots in the Tigers’ lineup, hitting .282 over his past 15 games and providing both power and energy at the plate.
“He’s fearless up there,” Hinch added. “He’s not overwhelmed by big moments, and that’s special for a young player.”
Bullpen Slams the Door
With the lead secured, Hinch turned the game over to his bullpen, and right-hander Will Vest was more than up to the task. Vest pitched a perfect 1 2/3 innings, retiring all five batters he faced, including two strikeouts in the eighth. He sealed the win by inducing a weak grounder to end the game, earning his third save of the season.
“Our bullpen’s been lights out during this streak,” Hinch said. “Will came in and showed great poise. That’s a big reason we’ve been winning close games.”
The Tigers have allowed only 10 total runs during their current five-game streak, a testament to both strong pitching and improved defense.
Momentum Building
The win moved Detroit to 41-39 on the season, inching them closer to the top of the AL Central and keeping them firmly in the Wild Card race. While there’s still plenty of baseball left, the Tigers have looked like a team finally putting the pieces together after years of rebuilding.
Veteran players such as Javier Báez and Riley Greene have stepped up recently, but it’s been the contributions from younger players like Keith that have fans buzzing.
“This is the most exciting stretch we’ve had in a long time,” said longtime Tigers fan Jim Carpenter, who watched the game from the third-base stands. “You can see the energy in the dugout. These kids believe they can win.”
Rays Left Searching for Answers
For the Rays, the loss continued a frustrating trend of inconsistency, dropping them to 43-37. Despite solid outings from starter Zack Littell and relievers Kevin Kelly and Colin Poche, Tampa Bay’s offense couldn’t find the big hit when it mattered.
“We’re not executing in key spots,” said Rays manager Kevin Cash. “We’ve got to figure out how to cash in those opportunities.”
Tampa Bay stranded seven runners on base and went just 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
Looking Ahead
Detroit will look to keep its hot streak alive Wednesday night when Reese Olson takes the mound against the Rays’ Ryan Pepiot. For now, though, the Tigers are savoring the ride — and riding the momentum that Colt Keith and his timely bat have provided.
“He’s fearless,” Flaherty said of Keith. “He’s going to be a big part of where we’re going.”
As the summer heats up, the Tigers suddenly look like a team worth watching — and fans in Detroit are daring to dream of meaningful baseball in October.