Detroit Tigers’ Dramatic Walk-Off Win: Highlights, Final Score & Playoff Impact

DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers watched Riley Greene obliterate a 471-foot grand slam, yet an untimely defensive lapse and a bases-loaded walk in the 10th inning doomed them to a 7-6 loss to the Oakland Athletics late Tuesday, extending Detroit’s skid to three games and trimming their once-comfortable lead in the American League Central. Greene’s third-inning blast off right-hander Osvaldo Bido was the longest home run by any Tiger in the Statcast era and flipped a 3-0 deficit into a 4-3 advantage. The 24-year-old outfielder now owns 23 homers and an .890 OPS, strengthening his case to become the franchise’s first Silver Slugger outfielder since J.D. Martinez in 2015. Oakland countered immediately on Jacob Wilson’s two-run single, and the seesaw battle continued when rookie Colt Keith drilled a solo shot – his 14th – to knot the score at 5-5 in the fifth. Detroit’s bullpen kept the game even until extra innings behind three scoreless frames from hard-throwing right-hander Troy Melton, but Will Vest’s control betrayed him in the 10th; three walks, the last to Darell Hernáiz, forced home the winning run. Manager A.J. Hinch lamented a “self-inflicted loss,” pointing to a pair of fielding miscues and a sloppy cutoff that allowed the A’s automatic runner to take second in the final frame. Detroit committed 15 errors in its last nine contests after ranking among MLB’s five stingiest defenses through July. Despite the slump, the Tigers (78-56) still top the division by 3½ games, but the surging Guardians have slashed the gap from eight games in two weeks. Offense has not been the issue – Detroit averages 5.9 runs during the skid – yet the rotation’s ERA has soared to 5.46 in August. Veteran Charlie Morton, tagged for five runs Tuesday, has given up 14 earned in his last three starts. Wednesday’s series finale looms large: right-hander Casey Mize (12-4, 3.68 ERA) opposes Cuban rookie Luis Morales (1-0, 1.72 ERA). A bounce-back from Mize would steady a staff that has leaned heavily on him and southpaw Tarik Skubal. Detroit will also monitor Parker Meadows (hamstring) and closer Alexis Díaz (forearm), both targeting weekend returns. KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR TIGERS FANS AND FANTASY MANAGERS • Riley Greene’s historic grand slam underscores his breakout; he leads Detroit in barrels and hard-hit rate, making him a must-start in all formats. • Colt Keith’s recent power surge (four homers in nine games) cements his hold on the No. 2 spot in the order. • Watch Hinch’s ninth-inning plans: Andrew Chafin and Kyle Finnegan shared save chances while Díaz heals. WHAT’S NEXT After the matinee in Sacramento, the Tigers fly to Minneapolis for a pivotal four-game showdown with the Twins before returning to Comerica Park on Labor Day. Detroit went 9-2 on its last West Coast trip; replicating that success is vital with only 28 games left on the schedule. If the club can tighten its defense and coax steadier outings from Morton and rookie Reese Olson, the first playoff berth since 2014 remains within reach. But dropping winnable games like Tuesday’s thriller is a recipe for an unwanted October vacation – and Tigers Nation knows it.