Tigers walk off Pirates to win Justin Verlander’s farewell start
Valencia’s Ninth-Inning Blast Gives Tigers a Memorable Win in Verlander’s Detroit Farewell
Bharatmorningnews.com – Detroit delivered a dramatic ending to Justin Verlander’s final start, with Eduardo Valencia launching a two-run homer with two strikes and two outs in the bottom of the ninth to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 on Saturday.
The late rally gave the Tigers a fitting victory in a game centered on Verlander’s return to the mound at Detroit. The 43-year-old right-hander made what was only his second start during his second stint with the club, and his first appearance as a Tigers starter in Detroit since Aug. 20, 2017.
A Ninth-Inning Turnaround
Pittsburgh entered the ninth holding a 3-1 advantage, but Detroit quickly created pressure against closer Mason Montgomery. Max Clark opened the rally with a one-out single, then Hao-Yu Lee drove a double that moved Clark to third base.
Kevin McGonigle cut the deficit to one run with a groundout that brought Lee home. With Detroit down 3-2 and Valencia at the plate, the Pirates were one strike from securing the game. Valencia instead connected for the decisive two-run shot, sending the Tigers to a walk-off celebration.
The victory capped a game in which Detroit had repeatedly worked to stay close. Javier Baez supplied an earlier key hit, doubling home Spencer Torkelson in the sixth inning to make it a 2-1 game.
Pittsburgh restored its two-run cushion in the eighth when Bryan Reynolds hit an RBI triple. That insurance run appeared important until Detroit’s final-inning surge changed the outcome.
Verlander Exceeds Expectations in Final Start
Verlander worked 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits. Both runs came on solo home runs. He issued one walk, struck out six batters and threw 91 pitches in his 557th major league start.
Given the buildup to the outing, the length of the performance stood out. Verlander had not started since March 30, and his only other start during this return to Detroit came earlier in the season. A hip injury sent him to the injured list, while hamstring trouble kept him sidelined for months.
After announcing his retirement during the season, Verlander was given a home start on the second-to-last day of the regular season. He did not take part in a minor league rehabilitation assignment before the appearance. Instead, he prepared through live batting practice, a simulated inning and bullpen sessions.
Verlander had said he would have been satisfied if he could throw 20 pitches. He gave the Tigers far more, reaching the sixth inning and providing a competitive performance that kept Detroit in position to rally.
An Emotional Exit at Comerica Park
The most personal moment came in the sixth inning. After Brandon Lowe fouled out to the catcher for the first out, Tigers manager AJ Hinch came out of the dugout. Rather than walking directly to the mound, Hinch headed toward the stands to bring Verlander’s seven-year-old daughter, Genevieve, onto the field.
Genevieve ran to the mound to take her father out of the game, creating a memorable conclusion to Verlander’s final appearance for Detroit. The scene linked one of the franchise’s defining pitchers with the family moment that marked the end of his playing career.
Verlander spent the first major stretch of his career with the Tigers from 2005 through 2017. His final career record was 266-159, and Saturday offered Detroit fans a rare chance to see him again in a Tigers uniform on his home mound.
His outing was not simply ceremonial. The six strikeouts and 91 pitches showed that he was able to contribute meaningfully despite the long injury absence and limited preparation. Detroit’s late comeback ensured that the final result matched the occasion.
Pirates Face Final-Day Pressure
Pittsburgh received an effective opening performance from Kirby Yates, who gave up two hits across 1 2/3 scoreless innings. The right-hander walked none, struck out one and needed 28 pitches.
Still, the Pirates could not hold their ninth-inning lead. The loss also raised the stakes for Sunday’s finale. Pittsburgh needs a win to avoid a sweep and to finish above .500 for the first time since 2018.
For Detroit, Valencia’s homer transformed an emotional afternoon into a celebration. Verlander’s return supplied the occasion, but the Tigers’ young hitters and late-game execution supplied the finish, turning his farewell start into a 4-3 walk-off victory.
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