Detroit Tigers launch four homers in 11-5 win, crush Cincinnati Reds in series opener

The Detroit Tigers launched three solo home runs in the first four innings — Gleyber Torres in the first, Riley Greene in the third, Javier Báez in the fourth — but they didn't pull away from the Cincinnati Reds until the sixth inning.

It was a four-run breakthrough.

The Tigers rode that offensive burst to a 11-5 win over the Reds on Friday, June 13, in the opener of a three-game series at Comerica Park. A two-run double from Greene off left-handed reliever Taylor Rogers capped the scoring in the sixth. The Tigers also scored three runs in the eighth.

Torres drove in three of the 11 runs.

The 28-year-old registered the 15th multi-homer game of his eight-year MLB career, spanning 946 games. After his first inning homer, he tacked on another home run in the seventh inning.

Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez (28) hits a solo home run against the Cincinnati Reds in the fourth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Friday, June 13, 2025.

With the victory, the Tigers (46-25) reclaimed MLB's best record — climbing to 21 games above .500 for the first time this season. They now lead the New York Mets by a half-game.

The Tigers held a 3-2 lead entering the sixth inning.

They sent 10 batters to the plate, jumpstarted by a walk from Báez, a single from Zach McKinstry and a walk from Jake Rogers to load the bases with no outs. Torres delivered a sacrifice fly, then pinch-hitter Jahmai Jones reloaded the bases with a dribbler down the third-base line.

Somehow, the slow roller stayed in fair territory.

The improbable infield single set the stage for Greene, who ripped a two-run double the opposite way — all the way into the left-field corner — to push the Tigers' lead to 7-2 in the sixth.

Four home runs

The Tigers hit their first three home runs off right-hander Nick Martinez, who allowed four runs on eight hits and two walks with five strikeouts across five innings. He now has a 3.92 ERA in 13 starts.

In the first, Torres jumped a first-pitch fastball — one of Martinez's slowest fastballs of the game, which he located in the middle of the strike zone — for a leadoff home run to left field. In the third, Greene demolished Martinez's down-and-away fastball for a home run to center field, with a 111.1 mph exit velocity. In the fourth, Báez pulled a middle-in changeup to left-center field.

After those homers, the Tigers had a 3-1 lead over the Reds.

The next home run didn't occur until the seventh, when Torres put the Tigers ahead, 8-2, pushing a middle-middle cutter from right-handed reliever Ian Gibaut for a solo homer to right-center field.

The Tigers then scored three runs for an 11-2 lead in the eighth inning, thanks to Báez's RBI double and Rogers' two-RBI single.

Keider Montero escapes

Right-hander Keider Montero entered in relief for left-handed opener Brant Hurter and allowed two runs on seven hits and one walk with one strikeout across five innings, throwing 83 pitches.

The Reds tagged him for solo home runs — TJ Friedl in the third inning and Elly De La Cruz in the fifth inning. Aside from those swings, Montero limited the damage by escaping trouble in several innings.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Keider Montero (54) throws a pitch against the Cincinnati Reds in the second inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Friday, June 13, 2025.

He stranded the bases loaded in the fourth inning, getting Friedl to pop out.

Montero owns a 4.24 ERA in 10 games (seven starts).

The Reds scored three runs in the ninth inning, all against right-handed reliever John Brebbia. Left-handed reliever Matt Gage — making his 2025 debut — replaced Brebbia and recorded the final two outs of the game.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers launch four homers in 11-5 win, crush Cincinnati Reds in series opener