Tigers' offense erupts with four home runs in 11-6 victory over the Cardinals

DETROIT (AP) — Kerry Carpenter, Zach McKinstry and Matt Vierling hit two-run homers and drove in three runs apiece, and the Detroit Tigers powered their way to an 11-6, rain-shortened victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday.

The game was called after 8 1/3 innings following a 40-minute rain delay.

Gleyber Torres added a solo shot for the Tigers, who had only two home runs in their first seven games.

The game was delayed with one out in the ninth because of inclement weather. The field was deemed unplayable after the delay.

Detroit starter Jack Flaherty was charged with five runs in four-plus innings. He allowed three hits and four walks and hit three other batters with pitches.

Brant Hurter (1-0) picked up the win with one inning of scoreless relief.

Jordan Walker had three hits, including a grand slam, and drove in five runs to carry St. Louis' offense. Cardinals starter Dustin May (0-2) gave up seven runs and seven hits in 3 1/3 innings.

Carpenter's home run capped the Tigers' three-run first inning. McKinstry's homer highlighted Detroit's three-run fourth as the Tigers built a 7-1 lead.

The Cardinals scored five runs in the fifth, topped off by Walker's 459-foot blast to left-center field.

McKinstry's RBI single in the bottom of the inning gave Detroit an 8-6 lead. Torres led off the seventh with his opposite-field homer and Vierling homered with two out in the eighth.

Justin Verlander (0-1, 12.27) was scheduled to make his first start at Comerica Park in a Tigers uniform since Aug. 20, 2017, on Sunday night but he was placed on the 15-day injured list on Saturday with left hip inflammation. RHP Keider Montero was recalled from Triple-A Toledo to take his spot in the rotation. Montero will be opposed by RHP Kyle Leahy (0-1, 7.20) in the finale of the three-game series.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb

Detroit Tigers pitcher Jack Flaherty throws against the St. Louis Cardinals in the third inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Thomas Saggese (25) tags Detroit Tigers' Riley Greene (31) out attempting to steal second basein the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

St. Louis Cardinals' Jordan Walker celebrates his grand slam against the Detroit Tigers in the fifth inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Detroit Tigers' Zach McKinstry, right, celebrates his two-run home run with Dillon Dingler (13) against the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Detroit Tigers' Kerry Carpenter reacts to his two-run home run against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

DRESDEN, Germany (AP) — Large groups of fans invaded the field and threw flares before being chased away by police in a German second-division soccer game between Dynamo Dresden and Hertha Berlin on Saturday.

Dresden fans in the club's yellow and black colors ran the length of the field toward a section containing fans of visiting team Hertha, who also jumped a fence and moved toward the field. Lit flares were thrown from both sides, some of them landing near spectators, and some fans seemed to trade blows.

Police then stormed onto the field from an entrance in the corner of the stadium and chased dozens of Dresden supporters back toward the other end.

It was not immediately clear if anyone was injured or if there had been arrests.

Referee Sven Jablonski stopped the game and took the players off for over 15 minutes. During that time, police formed two lines across the field facing the Dresden supporters. A banner in Hertha's blue and white colors was set alight and displayed in the Dresden end.

The game eventually resumed. It was the second stoppage after an earlier delay when fans let off pyrotechnics and smoke filled the stadium. Hertha won the game 1-0.

Also, there was fan unrest at the final whistle when Borussia Dortmund beat Stuttgart 2-0 in a top-division game. A group of Stuttgart fans approached the field but stopped behind advertising boards and a chair was thrown onto the field.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

A steward removes burning pyrotechnics from the pitch during a stoppage in play in the Bundesliga 2 soccer match between Dynamo Dresden and Hertha BSC, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Dresden, Germany. (Sebastian Kahnert/dpa via AP)

Hertha BSC fans, left, and Dresden fans scuffle during a Bundesliga 2 soccer match between Dynamo Dresden and Hertha BSC, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Dresden, Germany. (Sebastian Kahnert/dpa via AP)

Police officers stand in front of the K-Block section with Dresden fans during a stoppage in play in the Bundesliga 2 soccer match between Dynamo Dresden and Hertha BSC, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Dresden, Germany. (Sebastian Kahnert/dpa via AP)