Tiger's Colt Keith Claw Reds With Two Home Runs

  

The Detroit Tigers launched four home runs, two by Colt Keith to take a 5-4 decision against the Reds to open the series.

Notorious home run thief, Stuart Fairchild, cheated Gio Urshela of his third home run of the season to end the second inning to save starter Carson Spier. 

He could not steal Parker Meadows third home run of the season to open the third inning on his first day back from Toledo where he was sent to rebuild his confidence.

Fairchild robbed Matt Vierling of an extra-base hit but Keith slammed his sixth home run. Keith followed an infield single by Vierling with his second home run of the game, his seventh of the season. It is the first multi-home run game of Keith's career. 

Spiers left with the bases loaded and trailing by four runs. He pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on eight hits and two walks. Spier struck out three. 

"Spiers again showed good stuff. I think he missed a few spots. The home runs hurt us. Maybe he fell behind a little bit more," David Bell said.

Buck Farmer struck out Urshela to hold the score.

Tiger's starter Reese Olson walked Elly De La Cruz after he retired the first 10 batters but faced the minimum when Jeimer Candlerario hit into a double play to end the fourth inning.

His luck ran out in the bottom of the fifth as Spencer Steer launched his 12th home run into the left field upper deck. Olson struck out the next five batters before Jonathan India singled to right. De La Cruz walked. Candelario hit an infield single into the hole at shortstop. Ryan Krieder's throw got away from Urshela at first base and India scored putting runners at the corner with two outs.

Will Vest relieved Olson. Candelrio stole second base. Steer lined out hard to right to end the inning. 

Olson allowed two runs, one earned on three hits and two walks, while striking out eight.

Riley Greene hit his 17th home run and third hit of the game against Brent Suter. 

Jason Foley entered the ninth seeking his 14th save.  De La Cruz beat out an infield hit, stole second and went to third on a balk. Candelario struck out. Steer lined a single off the glove of Vierling for an RBI single. Nick Martini hit a line drive off the the glove of Urshela for a run scoring triple. Blake Dunn ran for Martini. Tyler Stephenson hit a one-hopper to third. Dunn was called out at home by CB Bucknor. The Reds challenged the call was confirmed. Noelvi Marte singled to put the tying run in scoring position with two outs. Santiago Espinal grounded out to first to end the game.

"I knew going into that situation we were going to try to tie the game in that situation. We had the contact play on," Dunn said. "I felt like I had a good jump and timed it up well off the bat. I was hustling down the line. I thought maybe my hand got in. It was so close. It was hard to tell. We're banking even with the ball at third base, we have the speed. It was unfortunate it was hit to the third baseman. If the throw was an inch higher, he wouldn't be able to get the glove down in time."

The Reds have been aggressive all season. Sometimes it pays off but this time it the Tigers executed to cut off the run.

"It was worth the risk with one out with no outs we wouldn't consider it. It would have been an out anyway. I like our approach," Bell said.