Detroit, MI

Detroit Tigers rally, but miss out on sweep of Tampa Bay Rays with 7-5 loss

Published

2 years ago

April 24, 2024

Detroit Tigers rally, but miss out on sweep of Tampa Bay Rays with 7-5 loss

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Right-hander Jack Flaherty is trying to put together a bounce-back season with the Detroit Tigers, and since the start of the regular season, the slider has been a pitch reborn for him.

It has been one of the best sliders in baseball.

But the Tampa Bay Rays executed their game plan against Flaherty’s slider, recording four hits off it en route to four runs across the first and second innings. Flaherty settled into his fifth start after adjusting his pitch mix, which allowed the Tigers to storm back and take the lead, but the Rays delivered a comeback of their own in the later innings.

The Tigers lost to the Rays, 7-5, in Wednesday’s finale of a three-game series at Tropicana Field. Right-handed reliever Will Vest, who replaced Flaherty, surrendered three runs in the sixth inning.

The Tigers (14-11) finished their six-game roadtrip with a 4-2 record.

KING OF WALKS: Tigers’ Riley Greene tops MLB in this key stat: ‘Walks are freaking awesome’

The two teams combined for five runs in the sixth inning.

The Tigers jumped out to a 5-4 lead with RBI singles from Buddy Kennedy and Javier Báez, both with two outs against right-handed reliever Chris Devenski. The two-run inning was set up by Matt Vierling’s one-out triple to the right-field corner.

The Rays regained the lead, 7-5, with an RBI single from Ben Rortvedt and a two-run home run from Curtis Mead, both off Vest with two outs. Isaac Paredes, who played for the Tigers in 2020-21, sparked the comeback with a leadoff double.

Mead only hit the ball 327 feet to left, but he got just enough of Vest’s slider for a two-run homer to the shortest part of the park. It was the slowest exit velocity to produce an over-the-wall home run this season, at 87.3 mph.

After Báez’s double, the next nine batters were retired by Rays relievers before Jake Rogers walked with two outs in the ninth inning, but left-handed reliever Garrett Cleavinger struck out Riley Greene to end the game.

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Jack not so nimble

In his fifth start, Flaherty allowed four runs on seven hits — without a walk — in five innings, striking out six batters. He kept the Rays from scoring in the third, fourth and fifth innings to keep the Tigers within striking distance.

He threw 97 pitches.

The Rays collected their first four hits off Flaherty’s slider: Randy Arozarena’s solo home run in the first inning, followed by Amed Rosario’s single, Rortvedt’s double and José Caballero’s single in the second.

JAVY ON THE BAGS: Tigers’ Javier Báez builds on stolen-base streak while gaining momentum on offense

The double from Rortvedt and the single from Caballero scored runs for a 3-1 lead. Yandy Díaz increased the Rays’ lead to 4-1 with an RBI single off Flaherty’s fastball with two strikes and two outs in the second.

After that, Flaherty began to throw more curveballs.

Flaherty struck out Arozarena on three pitches in the third inning: a 74.1 mph curveball for a called strike, an uncharacteristically slow 88.9 mph four-seam fastball fouled off and, finally, a 77.3 mph curveball for a swinging strike.

He retired the final six batters he faced.

Flaherty generated 15 whiffs (on 50 swings) with six fastballs, five sliders and four curveballs. His fastball — responsible for six of 15 whiffs and nine of 15 called strikes — averaged 93.6 mph.

A reunion with Tyler Alexander

The Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the first inning.

Greene delivered a leadoff single and scored on Spencer Torkelson’s hard-hit groundout. Greene trotted to second base on Wenceel Pérez’s walk, then moved up to third on a balk from right-hander Shawn Armstrong, who served as an opener for the Rays.

The Tigers tacked on two runs in the fifth inning against left-hander Tyler Alexander, an old friend.

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Alexander, who pitched for the Tigers from 2019-23, walked Báez on four pitches with one out in the fifth. Rogers followed up with a single, pulling Alexander’s middle-in cutter. The runners advanced — both into scoring position — when Greene flew out to the warning track in right-center field.

Báez and Rogers scored on Mark Canha’s two-run single on a ground ball into left field, cutting the Tigers’ deficit to 4-3.

Alexander, whom the Tigers designated for assignment in early November, allowed two runs on three hits and one walk with two strikeouts in four innings. The Rays claimed Alexander off waivers after he was cut by the Tigers.

He has a 4.74 ERA in 24⅔ innings this season.

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.

Listen to our weekly Tigers show “Days of Roar” every Monday afternoon on demand at freep.com, Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at freep.com/podcasts.

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Detroit, MI

Lions draft grades Reacts survey: Grade the full 2026 class

Published

8 hours ago

April 25, 2026

Press Room

Lions draft grades Reacts survey: Grade the full 2026 class

The Detroit Lions’ 2026 NFL draft class is in the books, and the team used seven draft picks to fill needs and add depth throughout the roster. General manager Brad Holmes got to work in the middle of the first round by grabbing their right tackle of the future, and then snagged a high upside edge in the second round. On Day 3, Detroit added more depth at linebacker, corner, slot receiver, and added a couple of defensive linemen.

Here’s a look at the team’s 2026 draft class:

Throughout the offseason, SB Nation will host surveys for NFL fans, sponsored by the folks over at FanDuel Sportsbook, who currently have the Lions listed as +1800 to win this year’s Super Bowl, +850 to win the NFC Championship, and +150 to win the NFC North as the current favorites.

For Pride of Detroit, we are tasked with fielding questions from Lions fans, and with the NFL Draft now in the rearview mirror, our question for this week’s survey is…

How would you grade the Lions’ 2026 NFL Draft?

Please vote in the survey below, share your feedback in the comments, and check back on Monday for the results.

Throughout the year, we ask questions of the most plugged-in Detroit Lions fans and fans across the country. If you want to get these surveys emailed to you weekly, you can sign up here.

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Detroit, MI

Potential Day 3 Detroit Lions targets: 10 players to consider

Published

20 hours ago

April 25, 2026

Press Room

Potential Day 3 Detroit Lions targets: 10 players to consider

The Detroit Lions addressed two of their greatest needs during the first two days of the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller in the first round and Michigan edge defender Derrick Moore in the second.

“We’re all about building from the inside, out,” general manager Brad Holmes said Friday, April 24. “When you get the guys you love and they happen to play the trenches as well, that’s just a little bit of added bonus. We’ll definitely sleep good at night.”

When Holmes and the rest of the Lions’ executives wake up Saturday, they’ll have the opportunity to strengthen other sectors with their six remaining picks. Positions where they could seek reinforcements include safety, defensive tackle, tight end, running back and linebacker.

Here are 10 names to watch on Day 3:

Gracen Halton, Oklahoma DT

Halton was never a full-time starter at Oklahoma. But when he was on the field, he was a disruptive force. Last season, he produced 3½ sacks and 30 pressures – the second-highest total on the Sooners. He was also a reliable run stopper. He could conceivably fill the void left by Roy Lopez, a rotational interior lineman who rejoined the Arizona Cardinals in March.

Kaytron Allen, Penn State RB

Allen is a productive and powerful ball carrier who appeared in 54 games over his college career. During each of his last two seasons at Penn State, he rushed for more than 1,000 yards. He could fit well in new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing’s downhill running scheme. A bonus: He is durable.

Dallen Bentley, Utah TE

A natural athlete, Bentley emerged as a productive contributor for Kyle Whittingham during the new Michigan coach’s final year in Salt Lake City. A better receiver than blocker, Bentley caught 48 passes for 648 yards and six touchdowns in 2025. No drops in 76 targets last season offer proof that Bentley has reliable hands.

Keionte Scott, Miami CB/S

Scott’s age may be a turnoff, considering he will turn 25 in August. But his physical style and position flexibility could pique the Lions’ interest. Last season, Scott produced five sacks – the second-highest total by any defensive back in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

Eli Heidenreich, Navy RB

The Lions like players with versatile skill sets. When they drafted Jahmyr Gibbs in 2023, they saw him more as an all-around talent than a traditional running back. While Heidenreich is not nearly as gifted as Gibbs, he fits a similar profile as an all-purpose player who functions well as a runner and pass-catcher.

Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh LB

Louis sparks intrigue because he operates like a defensive Swiss Army knife. He possesses the skills of a safety, which give him an edge at linebacker. With NFL teams employing more nickel formations, Louis could provide the Lions more flexibility to adjust their tactics. Widely projected as a Day 2 pick, Louis is still on the board.

Rayshaun Benny, Michigan DT

After the Lions traded up to draft Moore in the second round Friday, could the Lions take another member of Michigan’s 2025 defense this weekend? Benny could be one they target, given that he is a powerful player with a track record as a reliable run-stuffer. With Lopez and DJ Reader no longer on the roster, the Lions could use more beef on the interior and Benny – a Detroit native – could provide value as a solid depth piece.

Pat Coogan, Indiana, C

The Lions solidified the middle of their offensive line during free agency, signing Cade Mays. But it wouldn’t hurt to add more depth at center. Coogan could be a good option in the late rounds. While he is not the best athlete, he is cerebral and technically sound.

VJ Payne, Kansas State S

The 6-foot-3, 206-pound Payne, who was a team captain at Kansas State, has an intriguing physical profile that could interest the Lions. He would help buttress a position that is a bit of a question with starters Kerby Joseph (knee) and Brian Branch (Achilles) working their way back from season-ending injuries in 2025.

Harold Perkins Jr., LSU LB

The Lions seek out players with elite athletic traits. Perkins has them. He also possesses positional versatility, having played as an inside linebacker and edge rusher. Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, an LSU alum, could find creative ways to utilize Perkins’ skillset.

Contact Rainer Sabin at rsabin@freepress.com.

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Detroit, MI

Detroit Tigers vs Cincinnati Reds – April 24, 2026 – Redleg Nation

Published

1 day ago

April 24, 2026

Press Room

The Cincinnati Reds return home tonight after a 5-1 road trip. It’s Reds Hall of Fame induction weekend with events taking place every day of the series. Cincinnati is welcoming in the Detroit Tigers, who are on a 2-game winning streak. First pitch tonight is scheduled for 6:50pm ET.

Starting Lineups

Eugenio Suarez was initially in the lineup as the designated hitter. Just after 6pm he was scratched from the lineup with what the Reds are calling mid-back pain. Nathaniel Lowe is now the designated hitter.

Starting Pitchers

Andrew Abbott

It has been an uneven start to 2026 for the Reds left-handed All-Star pitcher. He was dominant in his first outing of the season, and he pitched well in Miami, but he’s struggled in each of his last two starts and wasn’t exactly good in his second start of the season, either. All told his ERA is nearly six and he has 11 walks with just 15 strikeouts in 24.2 innings pitched so far this season.

When it comes to the platoon splits – last season there wasn’t a big difference in how lefties or righties hit him. Teams didn’t send many left-handed hitters out to face him, so he was only facing the best lefties in the game while facing your every day right-handers. Righties did hit for a bit more power, but they didn’t hit for much power. This season, which isn’t listed below, lefties are CRUSHING him. They are hitting an absurd .478/.500/.609 against him in their 24 trips to the plate. Righties are hitting .266/.344/.367 against him, but also have 10 walks and just nine strikeouts – making tons of contact but not being able to do a ton with it thus far.

2025 Splits

Split	PA	H	2B	3B	HR	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG
RHH	510	110	19	1	17	34	109	.234	.287	.387
LHH	174	38	10	0	2	9	40	.236	.279	.335

Pitch Usage

	4-seam	Cutter	Curve	Slider	Change
Velo	92.6	86.8	79.4	81.5	85.8
Usage	51%	1%	12%	16%	21%

Framber Valdez

In four of his five starts this season Valdez has been outstanding and allowed zero or one earned run. But on April 8th the Minnesota Twins roughed him up for eight runs on 10 hits and two walks. The 2-time All-Star is an innings eater and has averaged 192.0 innings for each of the last four years – all which came with the Houston Astros.

Last season saw Valdez pitch much worse on the road where his ERA was 4.70 (compared to 2.58 at home). He struck out far fewer batters and gave up significantly more hits. When it comes to the platoon splits, Valdez has reverse splits – or at least did last season. Like Abbott, he was only facing the best lefties around and didn’t face many of them, but the ones he did face hit for a higher average, made more contact, and hit for more power.

2025 Splits

Split	PA	H	2B	3B	HR	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG
RHH	651	136	26	4	10	57	154	.234	.308	.344
LHH	151	35	7	0	5	11	33	.257	.309	.419

Pitch Usage

	2-seam	Curve	Slider	Change
Velo	94.3	79.0	86.1	89.7
Usage	49%	29%	2%	19%

When and Where

Game time: 6:40pm ET
Where: Great American Ball Park
Watch: Reds MLB Channel, Reds.tv (in-market), MLB.tv (out of market).
Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
Forecast: 75°, cloudy, 20% chance of rain

News and Notes

Keep an eye on the weather

While there’s not a big chance for rain at the start of the game there are spotty storms in the forecast as the evening progresses.

Jose Trevino officially begins a rehab assignment

This afternoon the Reds announced that Trevino would be joining the Dayton Dragons tonight on a rehab assignment. He hasn’t played since April 4th after having a thoracic spine strain.

Division Standings

Team	W	L	GB	Playoff Odds
Cincinnati	16	9	0.0	29.1%
Chicago	16	9	0.0	73.4%
St. Louis	14	10	1.5	12.1%
Pittsburgh	14	11	2.0	55.0%
Milwaukee	13	11	2.5	39.5%
*Playoff Odds via Fangraphs*