Greene drives in 3 runs as Tigers beat Guardians 10-1 | News, Sports, Jobs

Detroit Tigers’ Riley Greene watches his RBI single against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning of a baseball game on Thursday, July 11, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

DETROIT — Riley Greene drove in three runs on three hits and Jack Flaherty threw six strong innings, helping the Detroit Tigers beat the AL Central-leading Cleveland Guardians 10-1 on Thursday to win their four-game series.

Cleveland’s Bo Naylor hit a home run in the third inning and Carson Kelly countered with his seventh home run of the season in the final inning to restore Detroit’s three-run lead before the game ended in a loss.

Greene’s two-run double in the fourth inning gave the Tigers a 6-1 lead, and Gio Urshela’s three-run double gave them a 10-1 lead in the sixth inning.

Detroit is 6-1 in its last seven, its best run since winning six of its first seven games this season. But it is still four games under .500 and 13 games behind the Guardians in the division.

“Production has increased and pitching has stabilized,” Tigers manager AJ Hinch said. “Our guys love to win and win series, and we hadn’t done that in a while.”

The Tigers, who are in fourth place, play Cleveland six more times this month, giving them a chance to make up some ground in the standings.

“At this point in the season teams want to beat us,” said Guardians catcher Austin Hedges, who threw two scoreless innings in his season debut on the mound and fifth career game as a pitcher. “Teams come out with their A-game with an A-energy and I think they’re better prepared for us now.

“You have to do some serious game planning to beat us and it’s up to us to respond to that.”

Flaherty (6-5) allowed two hits, struck out four and walked two in his return from a back injury. Facing a team with five All-Stars, four of whom were in the lineup, the 28-year-old right-handed pitcher lowered his ERA to 3.13.

Flaherty could be an attractive option if Detroit decides to sell before this month’s trade deadline. He signed a one-year, $14 million contract with the Tigers in December.

Cleveland recently made a move to bolster its injured rotation, and the early results have not been favorable.

Spencer Howard (1-2) gave up four runs and seven hits in three innings. The 27-year-old right-handed pitcher, acquired last week from San Francisco, has a 5.63 ERA in two starts and five relief appearances with the Giants this season.

“Lots of work to do,” he said.

Pedro Avila, right-handed pitcher for Guardians, also had a tough time, allowing five runs, four earned, and three hits in 2 1/3 innings.

The Tigers scored in each of the first four innings and added four more runs in the sixth inning.

Cleveland outfielder Will Brennan went 0 for 3 with a strikeout in his first game since returning from a rib injury. Infielder Gabriel Arias was sent to Triple-A Columbus to free up a roster spot for Brennan for the series finale in Detroit.