dailyloe.com – The Detroit Tigers rallied in the final two innings to secure a 5-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves on April 30, 2026. This win prevented the Tigers from being swept in the three-game series at Truist Park in Atlanta.
The Tigers scored two runs in both the eighth and ninth innings. A crucial sacrifice fly from Gleyber Torres in the eighth inning provided the game-winning run.
Framber Valdez, the Tigers’ pitcher, allowed two runs on six hits and struck out eight batters over six innings. He sent down the final ten batters he faced, throwing a total of 99 pitches.
Matt Vierling led the Tigers’ offense, going 3-for-5 with two RBIs. Torres contributed three hits, while Kevin McGonigle had three walks after seeing a game-high 31 pitches in five plate appearances.
The Tigers, now with a record of 16-16, return home after a challenging road trip where they lost four of six games, including two of three to the Braves, who hold a record of 22-10.
Next, the Tigers will face the Texas Rangers in a three-game series at Comerica Park, starting on Friday at 6:40 p.m. as broadcasted by Detroit SportsNet.
In Thursday’s matchup, the Braves managed to keep the Tigers scoreless until the sixth inning. Bryan Elder, the Braves’ right-handed pitcher, allowed one run on six hits and three walks while striking out five over six innings.
The Braves took an early lead with two runs, one in the second and another in the third inning. The second inning run followed a hit-by-pitch, attributed to poor pitch location by Valdez.
In the third inning, Ozzie Albies hit a leadoff double off Valdez’s changeup, which was poorly located. Albies advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a two-out RBI single from Dubón.
After the third inning, Valdez regained his command and effectively shut down the Braves. The Tigers capitalized late in the game, although they missed an opportunity to score in the seventh inning.
Vierling’s RBI single in the sixth inning narrowed the Tigers’ deficit to 2-1, following walks and singles from Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson, which applied pressure to Elder.
