Torkelson doubles, triples in big league return as Tigers beat Yankees
DETROIT — Spencer Torkelson doubled and tripled in his return to the majors, and the Detroit Tigers beat the New York Yankees 4-0 on Saturday.
Torkelson, who turns 25 on Aug. 26, was batting .201 with four homers when he was demoted to Triple-A on June 2. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 amateur draft was called up this weekend, along with Jace Jung and Trey Sweeney — two of Detroit's top infield prospects.
"That was a really fun game and, gosh, it is great to be back," Torkelson said.
Tigers right-hander Keider Montero (4-5) struck out five in five-plus innings in his 10th career start. He allowed two hits in his third consecutive win.
"He's got really good stuff — he just has weapons," Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. "It's not just about his fastball and slider — his changeup has gotten better — and when you put that together, he's been very effective."
Tyler Holton followed Montero with three innings. Jason Foley finished the four-hitter, working around Aaron Judge's leadoff double in the ninth.
"They have held us down — even yesterday, we got lucky and hit a couple balls of out of the park," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "That's a team that has done a very nice job of preventing runs, and they've had to do it in some creative ways."
Yankees starter Carlos Rodón (13-8) surrendered four runs and seven hits in 3 1/3 innings.
"I didn't have my A-plus stuff, but I have to be better than that," he said. "I put the boys down 4-0 in the second."
The Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the first on Colt Keith's RBI single, and then added three more runs in the second.
Torkelson hit a leadoff double. Rodón retired the next two batters, but Zach McKinstry hit an RBI single and Matt Vierling drew a walk. Andy Ibáñez then hit a two-run double to left.
"They really made him work with some really long at-bats," Boone said. "He really couldn't put guys away with two strikes, so it was foul ball, foul ball, foul ball, and then they would take advantage of a mistake over the plate."
Torkelson tripled to start the sixth, but was thrown out at home while trying to advance on an errant pitch.
"I thought I read the play perfectly, but it was wet and my hand got caught under me," he said.
UP NEXT
The Yankees and Tigers take a quick flight to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, to finish the three-game series at Sunday night's Little League World Series. Tigers ace LHP Tarik Skubal (14-4, 2.53 ERA) is scheduled to face RHP Marcus Stroman (8-6, 4.01 ERA).