Tigers' Colt Keith rediscovers power stroke with 3-homer game in Houston

HOUSTON (AP) — Colt Keith rediscovered his home run swing in Houston, swatting three round-trippers against the Astros on Monday night.

Keith, who bats from the left side, hit a towering, two-out, two-run shot to right-center in the third inning, a two-run drive down the right-field line in the seventh, and an opposite-field solo homer in the ninth over the 19-foot left field wall at Daikin Park.

“I was up there and on-time for the fastballs tonight and I was able to do some damage," Keith said after finishing with six RBIs in the Tigers' 9-3 victory. “We all know they come in bunches in this game."

The 24-year-old Keith hit 13 home runs in each of his previous two major league seasons, but had just one this year before Monday night's power display in Houston.

The only Tigers player younger than Keith to launch three home runs in a game was Hall of Fame outfielder Al Kaline, who was 20 when he did it on April 17, 1955.

“I see the ball well here,” said Keith, who was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the first. ”Definitely one of the best games I've had in my life. It was a lot of fun. We've just got to keep stacking days, and keep doing it and get back in this thing."

The Tigers (30-42) have struggled for much of this season, but were six games out of the American League's third and final wild-card playoff spot after Monday's victory.

Max Muncy and Andy Pages of the Los Angeles Dodgers are the only other major leaguers to hit three homers in a game this season. Muncy did it April 10 against Texas and Pages accomplished the feat May 6 — also in Houston.

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

In a repeat of the third inning, Detroit Tigers' Dillon Dingler, center left, and Colt Keith, center right, hug at the plate after they both scored on the two-run home run by Keith against the Houston Astros during the seventh inning of a baseball game Monday, June 15, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Detroit Tigers' Colt Keith (33) scores on his third home run of a baseball game near Houston Astros catcher Christian Vazquez, left, during the ninth inning of a baseball game Monday, June 15, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Detroit Tigers' Colt Keith watches his two-run home run against the Houston Astros during the third inning of a baseball game Monday, June 15, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Detroit Tigers' Colt Keith (33) watches his second two-run home run of a baseball game in front of Houston Astros catcher Christian Vazquez, left, during the seventh inning Monday, June 15, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Detroit Tiger' Colt Keith, right, connects for a two-run home run in front of Houston Astros catcher Christian Vazquez, left, during the third inning of a baseball game Monday, June 15, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Elijah Just made history as the first New Zealand player to score two goals in the World Cup. It wasn't quite enough for the team from the bottom of the world to pull off its first-ever win.

The All Whites held Iran to a 2-2 draw on Monday night in the Los Angeles area, the fourth draw in World Cup play for New Zealand, which was unbeaten in the 2010 edition with three draws.

“I think that may be our best performance ever,” coach Darren Bazeley said. “We came here to win and we were so close to making history.”

The All Whites had leads of 1-0 and 2-1 thanks to Just, who blew kisses to a crowd that included FIFA president Gianni Infantino after his second goal. Chris Wood, the Kiwis' best known player, assisted on both goals.

“I think we showed today that we’re a dangerous team,” Just said. “You can’t be disappointed. A point in the World Cup is always tough to get.”

The 26-year-old winger came into the World Cup off a strong season with Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership, where he was a contender for player of the year.

“It doesn’t surprise me. I’ve known him a really long time,” Bazeley said of Just's performance. “He showed the world how dangerous he can be. He’s of slight build, but he gets into pockets, turns and reacts quick. I think a lot of people are probably watching that today and saying, ‘He’s a good player.’ This is going to help him a lot.”

Just had his parents, brother, uncle and girlfriend in the crowd, which was dominated by Iranian fans, which was to be expected given that Los Angeles is home to the largest population of Iranians outside of their home country.

“Walking out the adrenaline was really high,” Just said. “Once the game started you kind of calm down a little bit. We were quite good with the ball. We dealt with the occasion really well. The players were really brave. Overall, it’s the performance we needed.”

Before the World Cup expanded to 48 teams for this edition, the All Whites had only qualified twice for the sport's global showpiece, in 1982 and 2010. They have never advanced past the group stages.

The team spent the day watching other World Cup matches, including underdog Cape Verde playing to a draw against powerhouse Spain. That left Bazeley thinking it could be his team's day.

New Zealand, which entered the tournament as the lowest ranked qualifier at 85th, is better known as a rugby union powerhouse.

Just's performance in challenging Iran, which was heavily favored, gave the All Whites a jolt of confidence and a lot more attention with two group stage matches remaining.

“He's an amazing player and he's so dangerous when we get him going forward,” defender Finn Surman said.

The All Whites' next chance to notch their first World Cup victory comes Sunday, when they play Egypt in Vancouver, British Columbia.

“It’s potentially changed people’s view on us and what they kind of expect from us,” Surman said. “We still think we can be better. We know we can be better.”

AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup

New Zealand's Elijah Just (11) celebrates with teammates after scoring their opening goal during the World Cup Group G soccer match between Iran and New Zealand in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

New Zealand's Elijah Just (11), center, scores their opening goal during the World Cup Group G soccer match between Iran and New Zealand in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

New Zealand's Elijah Just, center, celebrates with Chris Wood (9) and Sarpreet Singh (10) and Tim Payne (2) after scoring their opening goal during the World Cup Group G soccer match between Iran and New Zealand in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

New Zealand's Elijah Just (11) celebrates after scoring a goal during the World Cup Group G soccer match between Iran and New Zealand in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)