Gleyber Torres Ends Detroit's 10-Game Nightmare With One Swing, Tigers Steal 5-2 From Braves

The Detroit Tigers finally broke through. After 10 straight losses to Atlanta, they walked out of Truist Park on Thursday with a 5-2 comeback win that felt like exhaling after holding your breath for way too long. And it all came down to one moment in the eighth inning when Gleyber Torres stepped up and delivered.

The Eighth Inning That Changed Everything

Detroit's offense woke up when it mattered most. Kerry Carpenter started the rally with a triple to lead off the eighth, then scored on Matt Vierling's double off reliever Joel Payamps. After Hao-Yu Lee walked, Aaron Bummer came in from the bullpen and immediately walked Kevin McGonigle to load the bases with one out. That's when Torres stepped in and crushed a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Vierling with the go-ahead run. It wasn't flashy. It was exactly what the Tigers needed.

Detroit poured it on in the ninth. Wenceel Perez walked and aggressively scored from first when left fielder Mike Yastrzemski misplayed Vierling's single. Vierling then scored on Dillon Dingler's double to give Detroit some breathing room and seal the win.

Valdez Dominated, The Bullpen Held

Framber Valdez went six innings for Detroit, allowing just two runs on six hits while striking out eight. He retired his final 10 batters straight. That's the kind of start that wins games. Drew Anderson came out of the bullpen and worked two scoreless innings to pick up the win (1-0), while Kyle Finnegan notched his first save with a scoreless ninth that ended with a strikeout of Ronald Acuna Jr.

On the other side, Bryce Elder pitched six solid innings for Atlanta, giving up one run on six hits with three walks and five strikeouts. But it wasn't enough. Joel Payamps (0-2) took the loss.

Torres and Vierling Lead the Charge

Torres finished with three hits. Vierling matched him with three hits of his own. Both were huge in pushing Detroit over the top. Meanwhile, McGonigle extended his streak of reaching base to 26 consecutive starts, the first Tigers rookie to do that since Rick Peters in 1980. He didn't get a hit though, snapping his 13-game hitting streak.

Atlanta scratched out two runs early. Eli White drove in a run in the second, then Mauricio Dubon scored on a Mauricio Dubon RBI single in the third. But the Braves couldn't add anything after that, and the Tigers' momentum took over.

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