ANAHEIM, Calif. — Riley Greene of the Detroit Tigers made history with his impressive performance against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night. He became the first player in Major League Baseball to hit two home runs in the ninth inning of a single game. Greene’s exceptional display helped lead the Tigers to a decisive 9-1 victory.
As the inning began with a tie score of 1-1, Greene stepped up to face the Angels’ closer, Kenley Jansen, and delivered a powerful 371-foot homer over the right-field wall. This initial leadoff shot set the tone for what would be an extraordinary inning for Greene and his team.
Following Greene’s homer, Colt Keith hit a home run to left-center, giving the Tigers a 2-1 advantage. Jace Jung singled, and then Javier Báez powered a two-run homer to left, extending the lead to 5-1. For Báez, this marked his third consecutive game hitting a home run. Throughout this explosive inning, Detroit showcased their offensive power, ending with a total of eight runs on seven hits.
Continuing the offensive rally, Kerry Carpenter added a single, and Zach McKinstry doubled, which prompted the removal of Jansen from the game. Carpenter then scored on a wild pitch, bringing the score to 6-1. Spencer Torkelson’s walk presented Greene with another opportunity, and he seized it, homering again, this time a 409-foot drive off left-hander Jake Eder, to create a commanding 9-1 lead. This feat made Greene only the third player in Tigers history to achieve two home runs in a single inning, joining the ranks of legends Magglio Ordonez and Al Kaline.
Manager A.J. Hinch praised Greene for his stellar performance, noting his significant contributions to the team. Greene, who sports a .276 batting average with an .828 OPS, seven home runs, and 20 RBIs so far this season, received commendations for his hard work and commitment.
This game marked the second consecutive night where the Tigers dominated late-inning play in Anaheim, having secured eight runs in the late innings the previous night against the Angels, who are presently enduring a tough streak, losing seven straight and 15 out of their last 19 games.
Pitcher Tarik Skubal played a key role in securing the victory, conceding only one run and four hits while striking out eight batters over six innings. Skubal emphasized the team’s tenacity, applauding their relentless approach and determination in each at-bat, reflecting their strong record and teamwork.