BALTIMORE (AP) — Colton Cowser hit a three-run homer off Kenley Jansen with two outs in the ninth inning, and the Baltimore Orioles beat Detroit 5-3 in a day-night doubleheader opener Sunday that extended the Tigers’ losing streak to eight.
Detroit, which lost for the 16th time in 18 games, led 3-1 before Taylor Ward’s RBI single in the eighth off Kyle Finnegan. Jansen entered with two on and two outs and retired Pete Alonso on a popout.
As Jansen (1-3) tried for a four-out save, Jackson Holliday walked with one out in the ninth and stole second, and Leody Taveras walked. Jeremiah Jackson popped out, the runners executed a double steal and Cowser drove an 0-2 sinker 440 feet, about six rows into the right-center field seats for his second home run this season.
Jansen, third on the career list with 483 saves, blew a save for the fourth time in 11 chances this season.
Detroit has lost eight straight for the first time since June 2023. The Tigers have not dropped nine in a row since August 2020.
Dietrich Enns (2-0) retired four straight batters on just 11 pitches.
Matt Vierling had three hits for the Tigers.
Gunnar Henderson hit a sixth-inning homer off Framber Valdez, who gave up two hits in six innings.
Baltimore’s Brandon Young allowed two unearned runs and five hits over 6 2/3 innings.
Detroit took a 2-0 lead after Alonso, with a runner on, allowed Dillon Dingler’s looper to drop near first, likely thinking he could help turn a double play, then bounced his throw to second from an error. Vierling followed with an RBI single and Colt Keith hit a sacrifice fly.
Pinch-hitter Spencer Torkelson hit a run-scoring single in the eighth.
Orioles third baseman Coby Mayo was a late scratch because of lower back tightness.
Up next
Tigers RHP Troy Melton was to be activated from the 60-day injured list to start the night game after recovering from right elbow inflammation. LHP Trevor Rogers (2-5, 6.87) starts for Baltimore.
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