Torkelson narrowly misses cycle as Tigers hang on to beat Pirates, 8-7

Spencer Torkelson finished a single short of the cycle, Jackson Jobe pitched 5 1/3 innings and the Detroit Tigers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-7 after nearly wasting a six-run leadDETROIT -- Spencer Torkelson finished a single short of the cycle, Jackson Jobe allowed two runs in 5 1/3 innings and the Detroit Tigers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-7 on Friday night after nearly wasting a six-run lead.Detroit led 8-2 after seven innings, but RBI singles by Nick Gonzales and Ryan O’Hearn and a three-run homer by Rafael Flores Jr. pulled the Pirates within one run in the eighth.Torkelson got some help from the Pirates defense - his second-inning triple was a sinking liner to right that evaded a diving Jake Mangum, and his double was a routine fly ball to shallow right-center that fell untouched among three fielders. He hit his 26th homer in the seventh and was on deck when the Tigers made the final out of the eighth.Pittsburgh (81-79) needs one win for its first winning season since 2018.Jobe (3-3) allowed three hits and two walks while striking out eight. He returned in August from Tommy John surgery and finished with a 3.91 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 46 innings.Kenley Jansen pitched the ninth for his 498th save, his 22nd in 28 chances this season.Bubba Chandler (9-9) gave up six runs, four hits and four walks in 2 2/3 innings.Popular ReadsDillon Dingler had a two-run single, raising his career-high RBIs total to 91.The game started 30 minutes late because of lengthy ceremonies honoring Justin Verlander on the eve of his final MLB start.Verlander (0-1, 12.27) makes his first start at Comerica Park since Aug. 20, 2017, when he beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-1.___See AP’s full MLB coverage hereSponsored Content by Taboola