Historically reminiscent performance by Tigers in MLB, not seen since the 1950s, as they secure an impressive 8-run inning against the Angels.

Rewritten Article:

The Detroit Tigers are leading the AL Central with a 2.5-game advantage over the Cleveland Guardians, and their victory on Friday night solidified why. In an electrifying ninth inning, the Tigers scored an astonishing eight runs to outclass the Los Angeles Angels 9-1, accomplishing a feat rarely seen in around 70 years.

Led by outfielder Riley Green, this offensive assault was truly something special. Green smashed not one, but two home runs in the nininth inning alone, turning heads across the league. This impressive display earned the Tigers a place in exclusive company, as they joined the 1950 Boston Braves and 1921 Pittsburgh Pirates as one of just three teams since 1900 to score eight or more runs in the eighth inning or later in consecutive non-extra inning games, according to Elias Sports.

Green ignited the ninth inning with a solo homer off of Los Angeles Angels closer Kenley Jansen, who had been pitching flawlessly this season. However, Jansen struggled in his first outing in eight days, surrendering six runs on six hits before being relieved. Green capped the inning with another homer - this time against Jake Elder - making history as the first player in MLB history to hit two home runs in the ninth inning of a single game.

Things heated up when Tarik Skubal got into a verbal altercation with Zach Neto after a high-intensity strikeout in the third inning. The benches cleared, but no ejections were issued. Skubal, the reigning AL Cy Young winner, went on to pitch six innings of one-run ball, striking out eight and walking just one.

Rookie Colt Keith followed Green's lead with a solo shot, and Javier Báez added two runs with a homer of his own, helping fuel the Tigers' eight-run rally. The Angels' bullpen, overwhelmed and unable to mount a defense, found themselves helpless against a Detroit lineup that was relentless in its attack.

While the offensive fireworks stole the headlines, Skubal's dominant performance on the mound shouldn't go unnoticed. Led by this superstar pitcher, and bolstered by rising stars like Riley Green and Spencer Torkelson, the Tigers are proving they have the tools to not just compete in the division - but in October.

Enrichment Data:

Historical Context

Rare Multi-HR Ninth Inning: Greene’s two homers in the ninth are unprecedented in MLB’s modern era (since 1900). Prior to this, no player had achieved this feat in a single ninth inning[4].
Team Home Run Records: The Tigers’ four homers in the ninth tied the MLB record for most in any inning, joining teams like the 1961 San Francisco Giants (7th inning) and 2006 Dodgers (9th inning)[1][2].
Run Production: Eight runs in the ninth represent one of the highest single-inning totals in franchise history, though specifics on other team performances are less clear from available data.

Comparison to Notable Ninth-Inning Surges

| Team | Date | Runs | HRs | Key Details ||------|------|------|-----|-------------|| 2006 Dodgers | 9/18/2006 | 4 | 4 | Hit four consecutive ninth-inning homers to tie, won in 10th[1][2]. || 2025 Tigers | 5/2/2025 | 8 | 4 | First team with four HRs in a ninth inning since 2006; Greene’s historic two-HR inning[1][4]. || 1953 Braves | 6/8/1953 | 8 | N/A | Scored eight runs in ninth vs. Cardinals, though HR data isn’t highlighted in results[^general]. |

Significance

Greene’s Legacy: Greene’s performance cemented his place in MLB history, demonstrating rare clutch power in a single inning[4].
Team Milestone: The Tigers’ late-game explosion showcased unprecedented offensive depth, with contributions from Colt Keith and Javier Báez alongside Greene[1][2].
Strategic Impact: The Angels’ bullpen collapse, particularly Kenley Jansen’s struggles after a week of inactivity, underscored the volatility of late-inning pitching[1].

In the historic ninth inning, Riley Green of the Detroit Tigers capped off a sensational performance by hitting two home runs, a feat rarely achieved in MLB's modern era.
The Tigers' impressive eight-run rally in the ninth inning was bolstered by home runs from Riley Green, a feat that tied the MLB record for most home runs in any inning, equaling the performance of the 1961 San Francisco Giants and the 2006 Dodgers.
On Friday night, Kenley Jansen of the Los Angeles Angels faced deteriorating odds as he struggled against the Michigan-based team, eventually yielding six runs on six hits in his first outing in eight days.
The Tigers' victory on Friday night, coupled with Green's remarkable homer display, further underscores the team's impressive offensive depth, cementing Green's legacy in MLB history as a rare clutch performer.
Despite the attention garnered by the offensive fireworks, Tarik Skubal's dominant performance on the mound should not be overlooked, as he pitched six innings of one-run ball, striking out eight and walking just one, highlighting the Tigers' well-rounded balance of pitching and batting, attributes essential for success in October.