The Tigers turned a manageable deficit into a rout with four runs in the seventh inning, overwhelming Texas 7-1 at Comerica Park. What began as a pitcher's battle became a one-sided affair when Detroit's offense finally broke through.
Brant Hurter earned the victory with 3.1 scoreless innings, allowing two hits while striking out two. The reliever improved to 4-0 with a 1.50 ERA, providing crucial middle relief that kept Texas off the scoreboard through the middle innings.
Spencer Torkelson opened the scoring in the fifth with a two-run homer to left center that scored Riley Greene. The blast traveled 388 feet and gave Detroit a 2-0 lead. Kevin McGonigle extended the advantage in the sixth when he singled to right, scoring Jake Rogers to make it 3-0.
Texas briefly threatened in the seventh when Kyle Higashioka grounded out to first, scoring Ezequiel Duran to cut the deficit to 3-1. But Detroit answered immediately and decisively. Hao Yu Lee singled to right to score Kerry Carpenter, then McGonigle delivered his second RBI single of the game to score Lee. Matt Vierling capped the outburst with a double to right that scored two more runs, pushing the lead to 7-1.
Jack Leiter took the loss for Texas, allowing five runs over 6.2 innings despite striking out 10 batters. His ERA stands at 5.45. Detroit improved to 16-16 and moved into first place in their division, while Texas fell to 15-16.