Colt Keith Homer Lifts Tigers Past Rays 4-2 for 5th Straight Win

Tuesday, July 8th, 2025

DETROIT -- Colt Keith homered and drove in three runs as the Detroit Tigers won their fifth straight game, beating the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2 on Tuesday night.

Detroit has outscored its opponents 19-6 in the winning streak, which started with a three-game sweep over the weekend.

Tigers starter Jack Flaherty allowed two runs in 6 1/3 innings, striking out eight. Tommy Kahnle (1-1) picked up the win after replacing Flaherty and Will Vest pitched the ninth for his 15th save.

Jonathan Aranda homered in the first, then doubled and scored to give the Rays a 2-0 lead in the third.

Ryan Pepiot didn't allow a hit until Spencer Torkelson's 21st homer made it 2-1 in the fourth.

Colt Keith tied the game with a fifth-inning single. In the seventh, Zach McKinstry walked, stole his second base of the game, and scored when Keith hit his eighth homer off Edwin Uceta (5-2).

Key Moment

After striking out Riley Greene to start the eighth, Rays reliever Eric Orze hit Dillon Dingler in the head with a 94.4 mph fastball. Orze raced to the plate to check on Dingler, but the pitch deflected off his cheek guard and did not cause an injury. Orze struck out the next two hitters to escape the jam.

Up Next

The teams are scheduled to conclude their season series Wednesday afternoon, although there are thunderstorms in the forecast. RHP Reese Olson (4-3, 2.89 ERA) is scheduled for the Tigers against RHP Zack Littell (7-7, 3.50).

In summary

The Detroit Tigers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2 on Tuesday night, extending their winning streak to five games. Colt Keith was a key contributor for the Tigers, hitting a home run and driving in three runs, including the go-ahead homer in the seventh inning. Tigers pitching, led by starter Jack Flaherty and late relief from Tommy Kahnle (W) and Will Vest (S), held the Rays to two runs after they took an early lead on a Jonathan Aranda home run. The series is set to conclude on Wednesday.

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