⚾ Keider Montero Tigers Dominance Continues in Win Over Rays
The Detroit Tigers extended their winning streak to four games on Monday night with a 4-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, thanks to another impressive performance from Keider Montero. With this win, the Tigers improved to 58-34, their best mark relative to .500 since 2013, and continued to dominate opponents with elite pitching.
🔥 Keider Montero’s Commanding Start
Keider Montero (4-1) delivered a strong outing, allowing only one run over six innings, giving up four hits and one walk while striking out four. After losing his first MLB start, Montero has now gone 4-0 with a 3.31 ERA across 11 appearances as a starter and bulk reliever.
His consistency on the mound has helped the Tigers establish themselves as a pitching-first team in the second half of the 2025 season.
🔁 Strong Bullpen Support
Following Montero’s six innings, the Tigers bullpen took over:
- Tyler Holton
- Brenan Hanifee
- Will Vest
Each tossed a scoreless inning to complete a combined five-hitter, holding down the Rays, who have now lost 7 of their last 10 games.
💥 Key Offense: Baez, Greene, Keith, McKinstry Step Up
- Javier Báez opened the scoring with a two-run homer in the second inning.
- Riley Greene added an RBI single in the fifth to make it 3-1.
- In the eighth, Colt Keith and Zach McKinstry hit solo homers off reliever Paul Gervase, extending Detroit’s lead.
📊 Pitching Matchup Recap
| Pitcher | IP | H | R | BB | K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keider Montero (DET) | 6.0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Shane Baz (TB) | 6.0 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
Though Baz entered the game unbeaten in his last 8 starts, Detroit cracked him early with aggressive at-bats and timely power.
🧠 Key Moment of the Game
In the eighth inning, Rays 3B Junior Caminero flew into the stands while chasing a foul ball. The Comerica Park crowd applauded his effort as he ended up tangled in the netting. After a quick check, he stayed in the game—showing toughness despite the scary moment.
📈 Key Stat: Gleyber Torres’ On-Base Streak
Gleyber Torres walked in the first inning, extending his on-base streak to 20 games—the longest by a Tigers player since Kerry Carpenter’s 24-game run in 2023. The franchise record belongs to George Kell, who reached base in 57 straight games in 1950.
🧩 What’s Next for the Tigers?
The series continues Tuesday at Comerica Park:
- Tigers RHP Jack Flaherty (5-9, 4.84 ERA)
- Rays RHP Ryan Pepiot (6-6, 3.34 ERA)
Flaherty will aim to match Montero’s command and help Detroit chase a fifth straight win.
📌 Final Thoughts on Keider Montero and the Tigers
With Keider Montero leading the charge, the Tigers’ pitching dominance continues to drive their playoff push. As the offense shows more balance and power, Detroit looks poised to stay competitive deep into the 2025 season.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
🔹 Who is Keider Montero?
Keider Montero is a starting pitcher for the Detroit Tigers. After losing his MLB debut, he has gone 4-0 with a 3.31 ERA in 11 appearances as a starter and reliever in 2025.
🔹 How did Keider Montero perform against the Rays?
Montero pitched six strong innings, allowing just one run on four hits, with one walk and four strikeouts, helping the Tigers beat the Rays 4-1.
🔹 What is the Tigers’ record after the win over the Rays?
Following the victory, the Detroit Tigers improved to 58-34, sitting 24 games over .500 for the first time since 2013.
🔹 How many games have the Tigers won in a row?
The Tigers are on a 4-game winning streak, during which they’ve allowed only four total runs, showcasing dominant pitching.
🔹 Who hit home runs for the Tigers in the game?
- Javier Báez hit a two-run homer in the second inning.
- Colt Keith and Zach McKinstry added solo home runs in the eighth.
🔹 What happened to Junior Caminero during the game?
Rays third baseman Junior Caminero flew into the stands trying to catch a foul pop-up. He ended up tangled in netting but was uninjured and remained in the game.
🔹 What is the Tigers’ upcoming pitching matchup?
Next game:
- Jack Flaherty (Tigers) – 5-9, 4.84 ERA
- Ryan Pepiot (Rays) – 6-6, 3.34 ERA
The two will start on Tuesday night in the second game of the series.
