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Detroit Tigers finally snap 9-game losing streak with unlikely comeback against Braves

Spencer Torkelson hits homer in 9th, walk-off single in 10th

Spencer Torkelson #20 of the Detroit Tigers is doused with water after his RBI single in the 10th inning drove in Andy Ibanez for a 6-5 win over the Atlanta Braves at Comerica Park on June 12, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Duane Burleson, 2023 Getty Images)

DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers finally snapped a nine-game losing streak with their unlikeliest win of the season: A late comeback against the mighty Atlanta Braves.

It certainly looked like Detroit’s losing streak was going to reach double digits on Monday night, as the best team in the National League (40-25 with a +69 run differential) held a 5-1 lead midway through the eighth inning.

The Tigers’ offense had mustered just four hits and three walks through the first six innings before Andy Ibanez led off the bottom of the seventh with a homer. Atlanta, meanwhile, racked up five runs against a trio of Tigers long relievers.

But after pulling within three runs heading into the ninth inning, the Tigers tied the game against closer Raisel Iglesias in the bottom of the ninth thanks to a home run from Spencer Torkelson and a two-out RBI single from Zack Short.

Alex Lange needed just four pitches to get through a scoreless top of the 10th, and Torkelson came through again in the bottom half, smacking a game-winning single off of former Tigers reliever Joe Jimenez.

Spencer Torkelson #20 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates his RBI single in the 10th inning to drive in Andy Ibanez for a 6-5 win over the Atlanta Braves at Comerica Park on June 12, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (2023 Getty Images)

Miraculously, the win pulled the Tigers within five games of the AL Central-leading Minnesota Twins, even though Detroit just lost nine games in a row and sits a full 10 games below .500.

For a moment, on May 28, the Tigers looked like they might actually be surprise contenders in the Central. They had pulled within one game of the Twins after winning four of five against division rivals.

But a rash of injuries coincided with poor play to silence those hopes. The Tigers are suddenly in fourth place and own the third-worst record in the American League.

With 13 of the next 16 games coming against first-place teams, it’ll take a stunning turnaround for the Tigers to stay afloat through the second half of June. But Tuesday night was still a fun win -- one Tigers fans desperately needed.


About the Author
Derick Hutchinson headshot

Derick is the Digital Executive Producer for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.

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