Riley Greene Shines with Two Ninth-Inning Homers as Tigers Crush Angels 9-1

Anaheim, Calif. – Last night, the Tigers faced off against the Angels in an intense game that showcased not only raw talent but also raw emotions. The excitement began in the third inning when Angels shortstop Zach Neto clashed with Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal. Although no punches were thrown, the atmosphere turned electric.

“That was a moment where we all showed our support,” Skubal remarked. “It highlights the team’s unity.”

By the ninth inning, the Tigers, tied 1-1, erupted for eight runs to win the game 9-1. Most of the damage came against veteran reliever Kenley Jansen.

“I’m really proud of the team,” said manager AJ Hinch. “Those were some huge hits. It was a great team effort.”

One of the game’s highlights was Riley Greene, who made history by homering twice in the ninth. This achievement made him the first player ever to hit two homers in the ninth inning of a Major League Baseball game.

“I just found that out,” Greene said, a bit surprised. “Pretty cool.”

With this performance, Greene joined Tigers legends Al Kaline and Magglio Ordonez, who also homered twice in an inning. Recognizing the significance of this accomplishment, he reflected, “Those are some big names.”

Even in the midst of celebration, Greene remains focused. “It’s great, but we have another game tomorrow,” he reminded. “We need to keep our momentum going.”

Colt Keith also contributed, hitting back-to-back homers with Greene, while Javier Baez continued his streak with a homer in his third consecutive game. Greene credited hitting coach Michael Brdar for preparing them to face Jansen efficiently. “Brdar had us ready. He knows what he’s doing, and we trust him,” Greene said.

The Tigers scored six runs off Jansen, marking the first time in his career he allowed three homers in a single inning. Skubal noted that resilience defines their squad: “We don’t give away at-bats. It shows in our record.”

The earlier intensity in the game began when Neto hit a powerful homer off Skubal, celebrating his hit perhaps a bit too exuberantly. The Tigers’ catcher Dillon Dingler commented, “It’s part of the game these days, but Skub is a fighter.”

Things escalated when Skubal struck out Neto in their second encounter, which led to some tension between the two players. “It’s all competition,” Skubal maintained. “There’s nothing personal about it.” Neto echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the competitive nature of the sport.

Despite the rivalry, Skubal kept his cool, delivering impressive strikes and staying sharp with an economical pitch count. He finished his outing with eight strikeouts and no walks.

Interestingly, the strategy included removing Skubal after just six innings. “It’s all about longevity,” he explained. “We want to be fresh for the postseason.” Skubal’s approach aligns with the team’s philosophy of managing player health and performance throughout the season.

Looking back, Hinch acknowledged that while the benches clearing seemed unnecessary, it’s part of the game’s high energy. “Emotions run high, especially when skilled players are involved,” he said. “But we want to keep things friendly.”

Skubal, upon reflection, wished he had handled things differently. “I should be smarter in those moments. I play with passion, and sometimes that leads to these situations,” he said, recognizing the importance of teamwork and composure.

Ultimately, the Tigers displayed not just their talent but also their unity, showcasing a team that fights for each other on and off the field.

For additional insights on baseball statistics and player performance, you can explore resources like the Baseball Reference website.

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