Riley Greene, Tigers' power hitter, delivers historic two-homer comeback in the ninth inning, securing a 9-1 victory against Angels.

Slugger Riley Greene Breaks MLB Record, Fueling Tigers' Historic Comeback

Alright, let's dive into the story of Riley Greene – the Detroit Tigers' powerhouse who made history on May 2, 2025, in Anaheim.

Greene, in a remarkable display, smashed two home runs in the ninth inning, making him the first player ever to accomplish this fantastic feat in Major League Baseball history[1][2][3]. Facing the Los Angeles Angels' closer, Kenley Jansen, Greene launched a leadoff homer, sending the ball soaring 371 feet off the top of the right-field wall[1][2].

Colt Keith followed suit with a homer to left-center for a 2-1 lead, igniting an unstoppable onslaught[1][2]. Jace Jung singled, Javier Báez delivered a two-out, two-run shot to left, and Kerry Carpenter scored on a wild pitch, pushing the Tigers' lead to 6-1[1][2].

With Spencer Torkelson on base after a walk, Greene seized the chance to make history again[1][2], crushing a 409-foot homer to right-center, extending the lead to 9-1[1][2].

This record-breaking ninth inning was a continuation of the Tigers' impressive form, as they had already demonstrated their late-inning prowess the previous night[4]. Detroit outscored the Angels 8-4 in the eighth and ninth innings of their 10-4 victory on May 1, 2025[4].

Detroit manager A.J. Hinch was blown away by Greene's performance, noting, "He's made an All-Star team, he's been a featured player on our team, he hits in the middle of the order, he gets all the toughest matchups, and he asks for more"[1].

"There's no quit in our team," said Tigers' ace Tarik Skubal, who attributed their resilience to their ability to grind out at-bats, never giving away opportunities and never letting up[1][4].

The Tigers continued their dominance as they showcased a league-best 21-12 record, a testament to their relentless determination[1]. Meanwhile, the Angels continued to struggle, having lost seven straight and 15 of their last 19 games[1][4].

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AP MLB: https://www.apnews.com/hub/MLB

[1] Associated Press, (2025, May 3). Tigers' Riley Greene breaks MLB record with 9th-inning homers. Retrieved from https://www.apnews.com/article/sports-baseball-mlb-detroit-tigers-9e3b9b23663e9da3159a0d7f8a7b1d3d

[2] Reuters, (2025, May 3). Tigers Amazing 9th Inning Propels them to 9-1 Victory over the Angels. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/sports/us-mlb/tigers-stun-angels-9-1-comeback-win-9-1-2025-05-03/

[3] ESPN, (2025, May 3). Tigers Riley Greene becomes first MLB player to hit 2 home runs in 9th inning. Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/36651968/tigers-riley-greene-becomes-first-mlb-player-hit-2-home-runs-9th-inning

[4] CBS Sports, (2025, May 2). Tigers' Late-Inning Comeback Secures 10-4 Victory over the Angels. Retrieved from https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/tigers-late-inning-comeback-seals-10-4-victory-over-the-angels/

The Detroit Tigers' slugger Riley Greene set a new Major League Baseball (MLB) record by hitting two home runs in a single ninth inning during the team's game against the Los Angeles Angels on May 2, 2025.
Eder, a sports news reporter, covered the record-breaking ninth inning, reporting that Greene launched a leadoff homer off Kenley Jansen, sending the ball soaring 371 feet off the top of the right-field wall.
In the same game, Toronto native Jace Jung singled, likely sparking conversations around sports bars in Toronto about Greene's historic performance.
As the Tigers cruised to a 9-1 victory, news outlets such as AP MLB, Reuters, and ESPN celebrated Greene's achievement, with AP MLB even calling it a "Fantastic feat."
Meanwhile, in the retail sector, sports merchandise stores in Toronto might have seen a surge in sales for Tigers gear, as Greene's record-setting performance could inspire baseball enthusiasts across the city.