Martin Perez Shuts Down Detroit and the Braves' Bats Wake Up: Two Division Leaders Collide and Atlanta Wins It

Martin Perez just delivered exactly what the Atlanta Braves needed. The veteran left-hander threw five scoreless innings, allowed just two hits and four walks while striking out five, and watched his offense break through in a 5-2 win over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night at Truist Park. This was the opener of a three-game series between two clubs leading their divisions, and Atlanta made a statement.

Perez Picks Up His First W Against Detroit Since 2019

The journeyman southpaw (2-1) hadn't beaten the Tigers since August 25, 2019. That's a long drought. But on Tuesday, Perez locked in completely through five, giving Atlanta's bullpen room to breathe. Didier Fuentes, recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett when Dylan Lee went on the paternity list, followed with two scoreless innings of his own. Tyler Kinley struck out two in a scoreless eighth. Even Aaron Bummer's ninth-inning home run allowed to Wenceel Perez couldn't spoil the dominant pitching performance.

Yastrzemski Breaks Out When Atlanta Needed It Most

Mike Yastrzemski had been ice cold. He came into the game 2-for-20 with six strikeouts over his previous six games. But on Tuesday, he went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI, and his two back-to-back doubles with Ronald Acuna Jr. in the third inning sparked Atlanta's offense. Yastrzemski later lined a single over the glove of leaping second baseman Gleyber Torres in the seventh to plate another run.

Ozzie Albies added insurance with a two-run homer off reliever Tyler Holton in the eighth, his sixth of the season. Atlanta's nine-hit attack gave them enough cushion to hold on.

Detroit's Injury Problem Gets Worse

The Tigers got a gutsy effort from Kevin McGonigle, who extended his hitting streak to 12 games with an infield single in the eighth. But Spencer Torkelson went 0-for-3, ending his franchise-tying streak of five consecutive games with a home run. Worse, Detroit starter Casey Mize had to leave the game after just 2 1/3 innings with right groin tightness. Mize fielded a grounder and made an underhand toss for the out, but grimaced as his momentum carried him into foul territory. He allowed two runs on three hits and one walk with three strikeouts before he was pulled. That's not the kind of injury timeline either team needs right now.

Atlanta and Detroit play again Wednesday. This series is just getting started.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.