Spencer Torkelson finds his timing, unlocks his power after slow start

"I just kept reminding myself, it's coming, it's coming," Torkelson said.

Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) celebrates a walk-off home run against Milwaukee Brewers during the ninth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Thursday, April 23, 2026.

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It finally came.

Three times in a row.

Same location, same swing, same result.

"I think I'm just on time," Torkelson said.

In Wednesday's 5-2 win, Torkelson turned on a middle-in 95.1 mph sinker from right-hander Chad Patrick for a two-run home run and a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning – hitting it 400 feet to left-center field with a 106.4 mph exit velocity.

In Thursday's 5-4 win, Torkelson launched an up-and-in 99.2 mph sinker from right-handed reliever Abner Uribe for a solo home run for a walk-off win in the ninth inning – hitting it 382 feet to left-center field with a 109.8 mph exit velocity.

In Friday's 9-8 loss, Torkelson destroyed a middle-in 93.6 mph fastball from right-handed reliever Tony Santillan for a solo home run and a 7-6 deficit in the eighth inning (before the Tigers took an 8-7 lead on Kerry Carpenter's two-run home run) – hitting it 435 feet to left field with a 108.3 mph exit velocity.

"As soon as you feel it once, your brain is crazy – it just likes to repeat it," said Torkelson, who has two 31-homer performances in his first four seasons and two Triple-A demotions in his first three seasons.

How did Torkelson react to his walk-off home run in Thursday's game?

"It felt amazing," Torkelson said.

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Timing is everything for Torkelson.

Right now, his swing (which has a tendency to travel along the same path without adjustability) is on time for fastballs, specifically fastballs located middle-in that he can pull for power.

"I'm proud of him," manager A.J. Hinch said, reacting to Torkelson's walk-off home run in Thursday's game. "Mentally for him, he's getting a lot of questions, he's getting a lot of doubt, but never internally – never by us, never by his teammates and certainly not by him."

That timing is making a difference in his results.

"Be on time, get my pitch and put a good swing on it," Torkelson said.

"That's it," he added.

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Spencer Torkelson home runs in three straight games for Detroit Tigers