Torkelson doubles and triples in big league return as Tigers beat Yankees 4-0

DETROIT (AP) — Spencer Torkelson doubled and tripled in his return to the majors, and the Detroit Tigers beat the New York Yankees 4-0 on Saturday.

Torkelson, who turns 25 on Aug. 26, was batting .201 with four homers when he was demoted to Triple-A on June 2. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 amateur draft was called up this weekend, along with Jace Jung and Trey Sweeney — two of Detroit’s top infield prospects.

“That was a really fun game and, gosh, it is great to be back,” Torkelson said.

Tigers right-hander Keider Montero (4-5) struck out five in five-plus innings in his 10th career start. He allowed two hits in his third consecutive win.

“He’s got really good stuff — he just has weapons,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “It’s not just about his fastball and slider — his changeup has gotten better — and when you put that together, he’s been very effective.”

Tyler Holton followed Montero with three innings. Jason Foley finished the four-hitter, working around Aaron Judge’s leadoff double in the ninth.

“They have held us down — even yesterday, we got lucky and hit a couple balls of out of the park,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “That’s a team that has done a very nice job of preventing runs, and they’ve had to do it in some creative ways.”

Yankees starter Carlos Rodón (13-8) surrendered four runs and seven hits in 3 1/3 innings.

“I didn’t have my A-plus stuff, but I have to be better than that,” he said. “I put the boys down 4-0 in the second.”

The Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the first on Colt Keith’s RBI single, and then added three more runs in the second.

Torkelson hit a leadoff double. Rodón retired the next two batters, but Zach McKinstry hit an RBI single and Matt Vierling drew a walk. Andy Ibáñez then hit a two-run double to left.

“They really made him work with some really long at-bats,” Boone said. “He really couldn’t put guys away with two strikes, so it was foul ball, foul ball, foul ball, and then they would take advantage of a mistake over the plate.”

Torkelson tripled to start the sixth, but was thrown out at home while trying to advance on an errant pitch.

“I thought I read the play perfectly, but it was wet and my hand got caught under me,” he said.

The Yankees and Tigers take a quick flight to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, to finish the three-game series at Sunday night’s Little League World Series. Tigers ace LHP Tarik Skubal (14-4, 2.53 ERA) is scheduled to face RHP Marcus Stroman (8-6, 4.01 ERA).

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