Tigers’ season struggles deepen as Angels seize top spot in American League
A grand slam by Vaughn Grissom and a five-run eighth inning handed the Los Angeles Angels the lead in the AL standings, leaving Detroit with the league’s worst record.
The Detroit Tigers’ position at the bottom of the American League standings solidified on Tuesday night as they succumbed to a 10-6 defeat against the Los Angeles Angels at Comerica Park. The loss, driven by a pivotal eighth-inning surge from Los Angeles, dropped Detroit to a 21-34 record, tying them with the Angels for the worst standing in the league.
Detroit held a 6-5 advantage entering the final frames, but the bullpen’s inability to maintain control proved decisive. Reliever Will Vest surrendered a two-out, go-ahead grand slam to Angels first baseman Vaughn Grissom. The blast, which followed a double by Logan O’Hoppe and a single by Zach Neto, shifted the momentum irreversibly, allowing Los Angeles to score five runs in the inning and secure the victory.
Grissom was instrumental in the turnaround, finishing 3-for-5 with six RBIs. His performance overshadowed a strong outing by Tigers third baseman Kevin McGonigle, who recorded three hits, including a two-RBI triple in the fifth inning that tied the game at 4-4. McGonigle’s triple marked his third of the season, leading all MLB rookies and Tigers players in that category.
Starting pitcher Keider Montero provided Detroit with length but lacked the quality to secure a win. Montero pitched 5⅔ innings, allowing four earned runs on eight hits while striking out seven batters. He exited the game in the sixth inning in line for the win but received no decision after the bullpen’s collapse. The Tigers’ offense, which had taken the lead in the fifth and extended it to 6-4 with a solo home run by Wenceel Pérez in the sixth, failed to mount a comeback once the Angels retook the lead.
The defeat marks Detroit’s ninth loss in its last ten games, with the team holding a 5-18 record for the month of May. Compounding the on-field struggles, shortstop Javier Báez is scheduled to see a specialist for a right ankle injury. The two teams will meet again on Wednesday at 6:40 p.m. Detroit time on Detroit SportsNet, with Casey Mize pitching for Detroit against José Soriano for the Angels.
