Rookie Colt Keith hit two home runs, and Parker Meadows and Riley Greene also homered as the Detroit Tigers held on to beat the Cincinnati Reds 5-4 on Friday night.
Meadows started the scoring with a long home run in the third inning to right field. After Reds center fielder Stuart Fairchild made a great catch to deny Matt Vierling an extra-base hit, Keith hit his first home run of the night to almost the same spot in right field.
Keith added a two-run homer in the fifth inning, while Greene began the seventh inning with his team-leading 17th homer, another deep shot to right field.
“It’s tough for opposing pitchers when both of them are hitting well,” said Detroit manager A.J. Hinch. “It creates pressure right from the beginning. Riley has been consistent throughout the year, and Colt has been steadily improving.
”Detroit received a strong performance from right-hander Reese Olson, who held the Reds hitless through four innings. He finished after 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out eight batters.
Spencer Steer broke up Olson’s no-hit bid with a towering home run into the left-field upper deck to lead off the fifth inning for the Reds. Olson responded by striking out the next five batters he faced. He was replaced in the sixth inning after Jonathan India scored from second base on a throwing error by shortstop Ryan Kreidler.
“Overall, Reese did well,” Hinch commented. “He gave it his all towards the end of the game, and I decided not to let him face Steer again.”
In the ninth inning, the Reds made a late push against reliever Jason Foley. Ellie De La Cruz reached base on an infield hit to the right side, stole second base for his league-leading 43rd steal, advanced to third on a balk, and scored on a single by Steer. Steer also scored on Nick Martini’s triple down the right-field line.
