TAMPA, FL - A Rainy Tune-Up for the Tigers
The Detroit Tigers faced not one, but two rain delays during their spring training clash with the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
The first interruption came before the bottom of the sixth inning, and the second with two strikes and one out in the top of the seventh. Luckily, Mother Nature's interference was brief, with the first delay under 15 minutes and the second lasting less than five.
With just 11 days to go until Opening Day on March 26, the Tigers are sharpening their claws for the 2026 season. Before the rain played its part, Detroit held a commanding 7-0 lead over the Yankees, showcasing some serious power at the plate.
Spencer Torkelson got things rolling with a three-run blast in the first inning. It marked his first homer of the spring, a promising sign for the Tigers' slugger.
Not to be outdone, Matt Vierling added a two-run shot in the second, and Riley Greene went deep with a solo homer in the third. These three long balls accounted for six of the seven runs, with Javier Báez chipping in with a double to drive in another.
On the mound, lefty Framber Valdez was dealing. Over five scoreless innings, he threw 63 pitches, allowing just four hits without issuing a single walk, and he struck out three. It's the kind of performance that should have Tigers fans excited about the season ahead.
The Tigers have five more Grapefruit League games in Florida before heading to Scottsdale, Arizona, for a couple of exhibition games against the Colorado Rockies. Then it's off to San Diego for Opening Day at Petco Park against the Padres on March 26. The countdown to the new season is on, and the Tigers look ready to roar.