Rockies catch up in the 9th inning, end Tigers winning streak and mess up the sweep

DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers needed a sweep Thursday afternoon, because what comes next won't be easy.

Instead, the Colorado Rockies scored two runs in the ninth inning to beat the Tigers 4-2 at Comerica Park.

The Tigers (75-72) ended a four-game winning streak at the start of a nine-game series against two of the American League's top teams: the Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals.

The Tigers are 3 1/2 games behind the Minnesota Twins (78-68), who hold the last wild card spot in the American League.

The Tigers took a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning on Thursday when Spencer Torkelson hit a two-out, two-run double just down the left field line.

Tigers starter Tarik Skubal allowed only a solo home run from rookie Jordan Beck in the third inning.

To end the fifth inning, Tigers left fielder Riley Greene stole a home run from Ezequiel Tovar by crashing into the wall to catch the ball, preventing two runs.

In the sixth inning, Skubal was hit on the right (non-throwing) hand by a line drive comebacker. He was in some pain but stayed in the game and retired the next two batters, but the hit likely hastened his exit.

Skubal threw six strikeouts without a walk, matching his best strikeout total (214) in the AL and lowering his lowest ERA (2.50) in the AL.

The Rockies tied the game in the seventh inning with a pair of hits by reliever Brenan Hanifee. When the Rockies brought in veteran left-hander Charlie Blackmon, the Tigers went with left-hander Sean Guenther. Blackmon hit a tapper up the middle that was fielded by Colt Keith, whose throw to first base came just a hair too late.

Guenther made many outs in the eighth inning, including two consecutive strikeouts against the middle of the Rockies lineup.

In the ninth inning, Brendan Rodgers reached first base on a leadoff single against Tigers relief pitcher Jason Foley and then advanced to second on a passed ball from catcher Dillon Dingler. Jacob Stallings hit a double to right field for the leadoff run. Stallings scored another lead on a sacrifice fly from pinch-hitter Jake Cave.

The Tigers put two runners on base in the ninth inning when Colt Keith walked and Spencer Torkelson got on base with an infield single, but Zach McKinstry struck out Rockies relief pitcher Tyler Kinley to end the threat.

Rockies manager Bud Black was ejected by home plate umpire Alfonso Marquez for arguing about balls and strikes in the fourth inning.

This story will be updated.

RESULT

Next: The Tigers open a three-game home series against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday at 6:40 p.m.

Right-hander Zach Eflin (10-8, 3.65 ERA) will pitch for the Orioles.

The Tigers have not yet announced a starter, although it will likely be an opener, followed by either left-hander Brant Hurter (4-1, 3.00) or right-hander Ty Madden (1-0, 2.57).

The Orioles acquired Eflin from the Tampa Bay Rays on July 26. Since joining Baltimore, he has a 5-1 record in six starts, including 38 strikeouts and four walks in 38 innings.

Eflin has thrown nearly 1,000 innings in nine seasons, but this will be his first game at Comerica Park.