Keider Montero delivers quantity, quality in Tigers' win over Rangers
TL;DR
Keider Montero led the Detroit Tigers to a 5-1 victory over the Texas Rangers, pitching 6⅔ innings and allowing just one run. His performance was crucial in stabilizing a bullpen affected by injuries.
Key points
- Keider Montero pitched 6⅔ innings for the Tigers
- He allowed one run on five hits and two walks
- Montero's performance helped stabilize the bullpen
- The Tigers won the game 5-1 against the Rangers
- Montero's ERA is now 3.48 in six starts
Right-hander Keider Montero delivered exactly what the Detroit Tigers needed Saturday, May 2, in the second of three games against the Texas Rangers at Comerica Park.
He provided much-needed length to stabilize a bullpen taxed by recent injuries, pitching into the seventh inning. He also provided efficiency in an 85-pitch performance, allowing just one run.
That's why the Tigers won, 5-1.
Montero allowed one run on five hits and two walks with two strikeouts across 6⅔ innings, lowering his ERA to 3.48 in six starts. The 25-year-old didn't allow a hit until two outs in the fourth inning.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Keider Montero (54) throws against Texas Rangers during the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
ON THE IL: Tigers lose Will Vest to injured list with right forearm inflammation
The only negative?
Second baseman Gleyber Torres left the game before the fourth inning with left side tightness.
The Tigers (17-17) and Rangers (16-17) match up for the final time in the series Sunday (7:20 p.m., Peacock) in the rubber match of the series. The Tigers will deploy a bullpen-only game (in place of injured right-hander Casey Mize), while right-hander Jack Leiter is scheduled to start for the Rangers.
Detroit Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle (7) gets ready for warm up ahead of the Texas Rangers game at Comerica Park in Detroit on Friday, May 1, 2026.
Detroit Tigers coaches line up for national anthem ahead of the Texas Rangers game at Comerica Park in Detroit on Friday, May 1, 2026.
Michigan basketball player Trey McKenney with his family after throwing the ceremonial first pitch before the game between Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers at Comerica Park in Detroit on Friday, May 1, 2026.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Casey Mize (12) before the Texas Rangers game at Comerica Park in Detroit on Friday, May 1, 2026.
Michigan basketball player Trey McKenney throws ceremonial first pitch ahead of the game between Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers at Comerica Park in Detroit on Friday, May 1, 2026.
Michigan basketball player Trey McKenney, left, talks to Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) after throwing the ceremonial first pitch ahead of the game between Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers at Comerica Park in Detroit on Friday, May 1, 2026.
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Detroit Tigers host Texas Rangers in series at Comerica Park
Detroit Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle (7) gets ready for warm up ahead of the Texas Rangers game at Comerica Park in Detroit on Friday, May 1, 2026.
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Detroit Tigers host Texas Rangers in series at Comerica Park
Detroit Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle (7) gets ready for warm up ahead of the Texas Rangers game at Comerica Park in Detroit on Friday, May 1, 2026.
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Detroit Tigers host Texas Rangers in series at Comerica Park
Detroit Tigers coaches line up for national anthem ahead of the Texas Rangers game at Comerica Park in Detroit on Friday, May 1, 2026.
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Detroit Tigers host Texas Rangers in series at Comerica Park
Michigan basketball player Trey McKenney with his family after throwing the ceremonial first pitch before the game between Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers at Comerica Park in Detroit on Friday, May 1, 2026.
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Detroit Tigers host Texas Rangers in series at Comerica Park
Detroit Tigers pitcher Casey Mize (12) before the Texas Rangers game at Comerica Park in Detroit on Friday, May 1, 2026.
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Detroit Tigers host Texas Rangers in series at Comerica Park
Michigan basketball player Trey McKenney throws ceremonial first pitch ahead of the game between Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers at Comerica Park in Detroit on Friday, May 1, 2026.
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Detroit Tigers host Texas Rangers in series at Comerica Park
Michigan basketball player Trey McKenney, left, talks to Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) after throwing the ceremonial first pitch ahead of the game between Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers at Comerica Park in Detroit on Friday, May 1, 2026.
TAKING TIME OFF: Kenley Jansen dealing with injury, but Tigers closer avoiding IL
In Saturday's game, Montero set the tone for the victory.
But the Tigers' offense supported him early and often against right-hander Kumar Rocker, who exited after throwing 43 pitches through two innings.
The Tigers scored all five runs in those two innings.
It all started with Dillon Dingler.
He had two strikes and two outs when he hit a three-run home run off Rocker's slider at the bottom of the strike zone, blasting it 443 feet to left field with a 107.8 mph exit velocity.
That swing put the Tigers ahead, 3-0.
Before Dingler's homer, the Tigers tried to score on Riley Greene's single, only for Torres – the slowest runner on the roster – to be thrown out at home plate, from right fielder Ezequiel Duran to catcher Danny Jansen.
Three innings later, Torres left the game after experiencing left side tightness.
The Tigers kept getting hits with two outs in the second inning, as Kevin McGonigle made it 4-0 with an RBI single off Rocker's down-and-away sinker (in a 3-0 count) and Torres extended the lead to 5-0 with an RBI single off Rocker's down-and-away slider.
Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler (13) celebrates batting a double against Texas Rangers during the seventh inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
The early runs were key for the Tigers.
Because the Rangers shut them down the rest of the way.
Meanwhile, the Rangers didn't score until their first hit of the game – a solo home run from Jake Burger on a first-pitch sinker from Montero with one out in the fourth inning.
Montero continued his dominance until a two-out single from Josh Smith in the seventh inning, leading manager A.J. Hinch to call upon right-handed reliever Drew Anderson.
Not only did Anderson finish the seventh with a strikeout, but he also stranded two runners in scoring position the eighth inning after Corey Seager's single and Josh Jung's double.
The eighth inning ended with a clutch three-pitch strikeout against Burger, using a 86.1 mph slider, 96.3 mph fastball and 90.7 mph changeup.
After that, Anderson returned for the ninth inning to protect a four-run lead, slamming the door on the Rangers with three outs in a row to end the game.
Anderson has been sharp in his past four outings.
Those results: One run on four hits and two walks with 12 strikeouts across eight innings.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers even series with Rangers behind Keider Montero
Q&A
What was Keider Montero's performance against the Texas Rangers?
Keider Montero pitched 6⅔ innings, allowing one run on five hits and two walks, while striking out two batters.
How did the Tigers' bullpen perform in the game against the Rangers?
The Tigers' bullpen was stabilized by Montero's length in the game, which was crucial due to recent injuries affecting the team.
What is Keider Montero's ERA after the game on May 2, 2026?
After the game, Keider Montero's ERA was lowered to 3.48 across six starts.
What was the final score of the Tigers vs. Rangers game on May 2, 2026?
The final score was 5-1 in favor of the Detroit Tigers.
