DETROIT — The Detroit Tigers erupted for nine runs in a wild third inning, punctuated by Riley Greene’s “Little League home run,” and rolled to a 14-2 win over the Boston Red Sox in Monday night’s series opener at Comerica Park.
The Tigers (27-15) scored 11 runs in the first three innings, the first time they’ve done so since Sept. 8, 2008.
“We had a lot of good things happen tonight, and we created a lot of it,” said Tigers manager A.J. Hinch.
In the third, Greene appeared to line a routine two-run single to right field, putting the Tigers up 5-0. But Red Sox right fielder Wilyer Abreu misplayed the ball, and it rolled all the way to the wall.
Then it was a race: Abreu chasing after the ball, Little League-style, and Greene sprinting around the bases. Greene won, diving headfirst into home as the crowd cheered.
“We should’ve had some oxygen,” Hinch said. “If we were in Colorado, he would’ve been in deep trouble. (Third base coach Joey Cora) was waving him from first base to second base, so there was no way he wasn’t going to make the entire trip. It was just a matter of whether he’d be safe.”
Officially, it went in the books as a single and an error. Unofficially, it was just as much fun as an inside-the-park homer.
The Tigers kept pouring it on. Shortstop Trey Sweeney added a three-run big-league home run later in the inning. Javier Báez recorded the first of three singles. Gleyber Torres, who opened the scoring with a two-run homer in the first inning, added an RBI single.
Red Sox starter Tanner Houck — and his ERA — took the brunt of the Tigers’ outburst. He was tagged for 11 earned runs on nine hits in 2 1/3 innings before manager Alex Cora finally, mercifully gave him the hook.
Remarkably, Houck also gave up 11 earned runs in 2 1/3 innings on April 14 against Tampa Bay.
He’s just the 10th pitcher in MLB history to allow 11 or more earned runs in multiple starts in the same season. The last to do so was Brandon Backe of the Houston Astros in 2008.
Tigers rookie starter Jackson Jobe struck out a career-high seven batters in the first 100-pitch outing of his career. He also walked a career-high five batters, including three walks issued after the Tigers had built a 12-run lead.
But overall, it was a positive outing, with 15 swings and misses, including five on his slider.
“I think we did a really good job of mixing all my pitches tonight,” Jobe said. “I’ve got to credit Ding (catcher Dillon Dingler) for that. I felt like we kept them off balance for the most part and really only missed with one pitch there at the end. He called a great game.”
The Tigers are 7-0 in games started by Jobe. He entered the game with more run support per inning pitched than any other starter in the American League. Monday’s offensive explosion only padded his lead.
“They’ve made it really easy on me,” Jobe said. “They’re putting up six, seven runs every time I’m out there. So it’s definitely a good feeling.”
Red Sox reliever Sean Newcomb saved the rest of Boston’s bullpen by throwing 98 pitches to finish the final 5 2/3 innings of the game.
Up next: The Tigers (27-15) and Red Sox (22-21) meet again Tuesday at 6:40 p.m.
The Tigers will recall right-hander Keider Montero (1-1, 4.15 ERA) before the game. He will serve as an opener behind lefty Tyler Holton (2-2, 3.12).
Montero is taking the rotation spot of right-hander Casey Mize, who was placed on the injured list with a mild hamstring strain on Saturday.
Right-hander Brayan Bello (2-0, 2.01 ERA) will start for the Red Sox. Bello, who turns 26 this week, is in his fourth season in Boston’s rotation but will be making his first career start at Comerica Park.
