DETROIT — The Tigers ended their nine-game losing streak by rallying to beat one of the hottest teams in baseball. Spencer Torkelson’s two-run homer fueled a ninth-inning rally off Braves closer Raisel Iglesias before Torkelson singled home the winning run off former Tiger Joe Jiménez in the 10th inning, completing the comeback for a 6-5 extra-inning win Monday night at Comerica Park.
On a night when the Tigers cobbled together relievers for a bullpen start, Charlie Morton seemingly had Detroit destined for a 10th consecutive loss, striking out eight over 5 2/3 scoreless innings. The Tigers trailed by four runs with four outs to go before Zack Short singled home Javier Báez in the eighth.
Detroit churned out five hits and three runs off Iglesias, none bigger than Torkelson’s 440-foot drive off the brick wall behind left-center field, turning what had been a relatively comfortable three-run lead into a one-run game. Short came up with another two-out single, this time driving in Nick Maton to the game.
Andy Ibáñez, who fell a triple shy of the cycle, threw out Sean Murphy trying to tag up from third in the top of the 10th, keeping the game tied as Jiménez took the mound at Comerica Park for the first time since Detroit traded him to Atlanta last December. Jake Rogers’ sacrifice bunt and Austin Riley’s fielding error moved Ibáñez into position for Torkelson, whose one-out drive to straightaway center brought home the victory.