Tigers walk off Pirates to win Justin Verlander’s farewell start

Valencia’s Ninth-Inning Homer Gives Tigers Emotional Win in Verlander’s Final Start

Indiadailyupdate.com – Detroit received a dramatic finish and a memorable farewell on Saturday, when Eduardo Valencia delivered a two-run homer with two strikes and two outs in the ninth inning to push the Tigers past the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3.

The late blast came after an afternoon centered on Justin Verlander, who made what was expected to be the final start of his career. Detroit gave the 43-year-old right-hander a home appearance on the second-to-last day of the season, and the Tigers ultimately turned the occasion into a walk-off victory.

Valencia came through against Pittsburgh closer Mason Montgomery after Detroit had already narrowed the margin in the ninth. Max Clark opened the rally with a one-out single, and Hao-Yu Lee followed by sending a double that moved Clark to third. Kevin McGonigle then produced a groundout that scored Lee and cut Pittsburgh’s lead to 3-2.

With the Tigers down to their final strike, Valencia changed the outcome with a two-run shot that brought Clark home and ended the game.

Verlander Goes Into the Sixth

Verlander allowed two runs on five hits across 5 1/3 innings. He issued one walk, struck out six and threw 91 pitches in his 557th major league start.

Both runs charged to Verlander came on solo home runs. Given the circumstances surrounding the outing, the length of his appearance was significant. He had not started since March 30 and was making only his second start during his return stint with Detroit.

A hip injury had placed Verlander on the injured list, while hamstring trouble kept him away from the mound for months. After announcing his retirement during the season, he was given a chance to make one final home start rather than conclude his career away from Detroit.

His preparation did not include a minor league rehabilitation assignment. Instead, Verlander worked toward the outing through live batting practice, a simulated inning and bullpen sessions. He had said he would be satisfied simply to throw 20 pitches, but he was able to work into the sixth inning.

Detroit manager AJ Hinch made the pitching change especially personal. After Brandon Lowe fouled out to the catcher to begin the sixth, Hinch left the dugout and headed toward the stands. He returned with Verlander’s seven-year-old daughter, Genevieve, who ran to the mound to take her father out of the game.

Verlander had said he would have been happy with 20 pitches.

The moment marked a full-circle scene for a pitcher closely connected to the franchise. Verlander was with the Tigers from 2005 through 2017, and Saturday was his first Detroit start wearing a Tigers uniform since August 20, 2017. He completed his career with a 266-159 record.

Tigers Rally After Pittsburgh Builds Lead

Pittsburgh’s pitching staff kept Detroit quiet early. Kirby Yates started as the Pirates’ opener and worked 1 2/3 scoreless innings, permitting two hits. He did not walk a batter, struck out one and needed 28 pitches.

The Pirates held a 2-0 advantage before Detroit began to respond. Javier Baez brought home Spencer Torkelson with a double in the sixth, making it a one-run game at 2-1.

Pittsburgh restored its two-run cushion in the eighth. Bryan Reynolds drove in a run with a triple, putting the Pirates ahead 3-1 and leaving Detroit with little margin for error entering the final inning.

That lead disappeared quickly once the Tigers reached Montgomery in the ninth. Clark’s single created the opening, Lee’s double put pressure on the defense, and McGonigle’s groundout brought Detroit within one. Valencia then supplied the decisive swing, turning a narrow deficit into a 4-3 win.

A Farewell Framed by a Walk-Off

For Detroit, the result added a competitive finish to a day dominated by the significance of Verlander’s return. The Tigers did not simply honor a longtime pitcher with a ceremonial appearance; he delivered a meaningful start, kept the game within reach and watched the club complete a comeback after he left.

His outing also illustrated how far he extended himself for the opportunity. Months away from game action, and without a minor league start to build up gradually, Verlander exceeded the modest pitching total he had envisioned. Six strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings gave Detroit a chance to stay close against Pittsburgh.

The Pirates, meanwhile, entered Sunday with a clear remaining objective. They need a victory to finish above .500 for the first time since 2018 and to avoid being swept by Detroit.

Saturday’s game will be remembered first for the ninth-inning home run that decided it, but the lasting image may be Genevieve Verlander racing to the mound as her father’s final start reached its end. Detroit then provided the fitting final touch: a comeback win in the ballpark where one of the franchise’s most prominent pitching careers began.