Báez’s 2-run blast shocks Muñoz, sinks Mariners
Seattle closer had not allowed a hit since July 4, a streak stretching 12 appearances
DETROIT — The Tigers brought out the brooms against the Mariners with their second straight late-inning comeback at Comerica Park. This time, Javier Báez powered a two-run home run off Andrés Muñoz with two outs in the eighth inning to send Detroit to a 2-1 win Thursday afternoon.
The Tigers’ three-game series sweep extended their winning streak to four games as they await the Yankees for a three-game weekend series. The sweep came despite back-to-back seven-inning scoreless performances from Mariners starters, including a two-hit, nine-strikeout gem from Bryce Miller on Thursday.
A third-inning single from Báez and a fifth-inning single from Parker Meadows were all the baserunners Miller allowed. Detroit didn’t allow a hit until the fifth inning, but trailed from the start thanks to four first-inning walks from opener Alex Faedo.
The Mariners handed their 1-0 lead to Yimi García, who allowed Wednesday’s game-tying two-run homer to Kerry Carpenter in the eighth. He didn’t have to face Carpenter this time, but a leadoff walk to Meadows set Detroit’s offense in motion. Meadows swiped second, his second stolen base of the game, and took third on Akil Baddoo’s grounder back to the mound.
With Báez up, Mariners manager Scott Servais turned to Muñoz, hoping to get Báez to chase a slider. But when Muñoz left a 2-1 slider over the plate, Báez crushed it, sending a 409-foot drive to left.
Báez’s knock was the first hit Muñoz had allowed since July 4. He entered play Thursday with a 12-appearance hitless streak.