Framber Valdez struggled in the Tigers' 10-3 loss to the Red Sox, giving up 10 runs without recording an out in the fourth inning and getting ejected for hitting Trevor Story. This performance comes after the team lost Tarik Skubal to injury.
Key points
Framber Valdez gave up 10 runs without recording an out
Valdez was ejected for hitting Trevor Story
Tigers lost 10-3 to the Red Sox
Tarik Skubal is on the injured list
Tigers have lost back-to-back games
Detroit TigersBoston Red SoxFramber ValdezTarik Skubal
The Detroit Tigers needed left-hander Framber Valdez â the highest-paid player on their payroll â to step up after losing left-hander Tarik Skubal for the foreseeable future.
Instead, Valdez melted down.
The 32-year-old gave up 10 runs without recording an out in the fourth inning, plunked Trevor Story with a 94.4 mph four-seam fastball in what appeared to be an intentional hit-by-pitch and received an ejection for his behavior.
It was the only four-seam fastball that Valdez has thrown in the 2026 season.
The Tigers lost, 10-3, to the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday, May 5, in the second of three games in the series at Comerica Park. They've lost back-to-back games since placing Skubal on the injured list Monday with loose bodies in his left elbow, requiring surgery.
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Framber Valdez (59) walks off the field after being pulled from the game against the Boston Red Sox in the fourth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Framber Valdez (59) walks off the field after being pulled from the game against the Boston Red Sox in the fourth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
Q&A
What happened to Framber Valdez during the game against the Red Sox?
Framber Valdez gave up 10 runs without recording an out in the fourth inning and was ejected for hitting Trevor Story with a pitch.
Why did the Detroit Tigers lose to the Boston Red Sox?
The Tigers lost 10-3 due to Framber Valdez's poor performance and the absence of Tarik Skubal, who is on the injured list.
What injury did Tarik Skubal suffer that affected the Tigers' lineup?
Tarik Skubal is on the injured list due to loose bodies in his left elbow, which requires surgery.
How did the Tigers perform in the series against the Red Sox?
The Tigers have lost back-to-back games in the series against the Red Sox, including the recent 10-3 defeat.
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The Tigers (18-19) will try to avoid the sweep Wednesday (6:40 p.m., Detroit SportsNet) against the Red Sox (15-21), with struggling right-hander Jack Flaherty, who has a 5.90 ERA in seven starts, on the mound.
In Tuesday's game, Valdez allowed 10 runs (seven earned runs) on nine hits and one walk with three strikeouts across three-plus innings, throwing 60 pitches. He generated just six whiffs for a lowly 17.6% whiff rate, while the Red Sox tagged him for a 93.3 mph average exit velocity on 16 balls in play.
The Red Sox did most of their damage in the third inning.
A leadoff walk set the tone for Valdez's struggles.
He then allowed a run on four singles in a row from Rafela (4-2 lead), Andruw Monasterio (5-2), Caleb Durbin (6-2) and Connor Wong (7-2). It became an 8-2 lead when Isiah Kiner-Falefa grounded into a force out.
Those runs cut the Tigers' deficit to 3-2, only for Valdez to waste the momentum by continuing his implosion.
The Tigers scored their only other run in the fifth inning, when Dingler delivered a first-pitch single for an RBI after singles from Vierling and Kerry Carpenter set the table.
Bello fired seven innings of one-run ball.
He entered Tuesday's game with a 9.12 ERA in six starts.
After Valdez's ejection, the Tigers used three relievers to complete the game: right-hander Brenan Hanifee for three innings, right-hander Burch Smith for two innings and left-hander Enmanuel De Jesus for one inning.