Spencer Torkelson's two-run home run propelled the Detroit Tigers to a 7-1 victory over the Texas Rangers on May 3. The game featured a unique pitching strategy from manager A.J. Hinch, emphasizing unpredictability in the bullpen.
Key points
Spencer Torkelson hit a two-run home run
Tigers defeated Rangers 7-1
A.J. Hinch used an unpredictable pitching strategy
A two-run home run from Torkelson fueled the Tigers in a 7-1 win over the Texas Rangers on Sunday, May 3, in the finale of the three-game series at Comerica Park, but “pitching chaos” set the tone.
Manager A.J. Hinch established the strategy in the final two months of the 2024 season, unleashing unpredictability from relievers in the bullpen. He turned back the clock in Sunday's game against the Rangers, beginning with left-hander Tyler Holton as the opener.
Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch (14) walks off the field after making a pitching change against the Texas Rangers in the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Sunday, May 3, 2026.
Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch (14) walks off the field after making a pitching change against the Texas Rangers in the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Sunday, May 3, 2026.
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Not only did the Tigers (18-17) secure the series win over the Rangers (16-18), but they also moved above .500 for the first time in seven days, dating back to April 26. Next up, the Tigers welcome the Boston Red Sox on Monday (6:40 p.m., Detroit SportsNet) for a three-game series.
In Sunday's game, the Tigers weaponized their relievers with Hinch's genius in the chess match.
The best three hitters for the Rangers are Brandon Nimmo (left-handed hitter), Corey Seager (left-handed hitter) and Josh Jung (right-handed hitter). The trio finished 3-for-12 with zero walks and four strikeouts against the slew of relievers from the Tigers.
All three hits were singles.
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.
The offense supported the parade of relievers in the fifth inning.
Although Leiter retired the first 12 batters he faced, the Tigers responded with Riley Greene's four-pitch walk to open the fifth – followed by Torkelson's game-changing home run.
He pulled a hanging two-strike slider for a no-doubt homer, putting the Tigers ahead, 2-0.
The Tigers extended their lead to 3-0 on Kevin McGonigle's RBI single off Leiter's two-strike changeup in the sixth inning, which happened immediately after Jake Rogers legged out a leadoff triple on a two-strike curveball that got past center fielder Evan Carter and rolled to the wall.
Spencer Torkelson of the Detroit Tigers hits a solo home run to left-center field during the fourth inning of a game against the Texas Rangers at Comerica Park in Detroit on Sunday, May 3, 2026.
Spencer Torkelson of the Detroit Tigers hits a solo home run to left-center field during the fourth inning of a game against the Texas Rangers at Comerica Park in Detroit on Sunday, May 3, 2026.
The run-scoring didn't stop there.
The Tigers put up four runs in the seventh for a 7-1 lead.
All four runs were scored with two outs.
The first run came from Hao-Yu Lee, delivering an RBI single off Leiter's two-strike sinker for a 5-1 lead. The hit chased Leiter from a successful start – despite the crooked numbers in the box score – forcing the Rangers to call on left-handed reliever Tyler Alexander. After that, McGonigle hit an RBI single for a 5-1 lead and Matt Vierling hit a two-RBI double for a 7-1 lead.
Leiter – the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 draft – allowed five runs on five hits and one walk with 10 strikeouts across 6⅔ innings, throwing 100 pitches. The 26-year-old has a 5.45 ERA through seven starts.
Two Tigers had two-hit performances: McGonigle and Rogers.
Both hitters collected one hit apiece against Leiter and Alexander.
The Rangers scored their lone run off Vanasco in the seventh inning, trimming the Tigers' lead to 3-1. A double, a walk and a wild pitch put two runners in scoring position, then a groundout plated the run.
Aside from that, the Tigers kept the Rangers from crossing home in the other eight innings.