River Ryan makes strong debut and Tigers hit 3 home runs in 9-2 win over Nationals

DETROIT (AP) — River Ryan was outstanding in his Detroit debut and the Tigers hit three home runs to rout the Washington Nationals 9-2 on Monday night, one day after being eliminated from the American League playoff race.

Ryan, acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Tarik Skubal trade, pitched three scoreless innings. He allowed two hits and a walk with two strikeouts. Ryan is expected to start again in the season finale Sunday — the day after Justin Verlander is scheduled to make his final major league start.

Keider Montero (10-9) pitched four scoreless innings in relief of Ryan.

Washington starter DJ Herz (0-1) made his first big league appearance in nearly two years. Herz, who had Tommy John surgery in April 2025, pitched four innings, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four.

The Tigers took a 2-0 lead in the first. Gleyber Torres walked, went to second on a wild pitch and scored on a ground-rule double from Hao-Yu Lee. After Herz got the first out, Eduardo Valencia singled to left field, with Lee scoring when James Wood misplayed the ball for an error.

Javier Báez made it 4-0 in the fourth, hitting his third homer of the season over the Tigers bullpen in left to bring home Dillon Dingler.

Detroit added five more runs in the fifth, three on Ben Malgeri's fourth homer and two on Spencer Torkelson's 25th.

That made it 9-0, but Yohandy Morales hit a two-run homer to get the Nationals on the scoreboard in the eighth.

The Tigers announced before the game that, due to a bank merger, Comerica Park will be known as Fifth Third Park starting in 2027. That's the same name as the stadium for the Toledo Mud Hens, Detroit's Triple-A team.

The teams continue their three-game series Tuesday, with Detroit RHP Drew Anderson (5-6, 3.62 ERA) facing LHP Jackson Kent (1-4, 6.40).

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Detroit Tigers pitcher Keider Montero (54) throws against the Washington Nationals during the fourth inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 21, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Detroit Tigers pitcher River Ryan throws against the Washington Nationals during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 21, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Detroit Tigers' Eduardo Valencia hits a double against the Washington Nationals during the third inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 21, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Detroit Tigers' Ben Malgeri hits a three-run home run against the Washington Nationals during the fifth inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 21, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Detroit Tigers pitcher River Ryan throws against the Washington Nationals during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 21, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

BALTIMORE (AP) — Toronto's last-ditch push for a playoff spot is encountering quite a few roadblocks.

Already dealing with health concerns for both Dylan Cease and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the Blue Jays lost rookie outfielder Brett Bateman on Monday night when he hurt his hip making a sliding catch in the second inning.

Bateman held onto the ball to retire Baltimore's Rece Hinds, but his slide left a divot in the ground — not a great sign — and he rolled over awkwardly after making the catch. Bateman was able to walk off the field, but very slowly, and he was replaced the next time Toronto was in the field.

X-rays on Bateman were negative.

The Blue Jays entered the day three games behind the Chicago White Sox for the final wild card in the American League. Guerrero was out of the lineup because of back trouble. Starting pitcher Trey Yesavage was limited to two innings in his first game back from knee inflammation. Cease is dealing with shoulder issues and it's not clear when or if he'll make another start this season.

Toronto acquired Bateman in the August trade that sent Kevin Gausman to the Chicago Cubs. He has hit .320 in 38 games since making his big league debut for the Blue Jays on Aug. 7.

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Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. runs from first to third base on a hit by teammate Alejandro Kirk against the Texas Rangers during the eighth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Dylan Cease throws to the Texas Rangers during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Toronto Blue Jays' Brett Bateman (21) scores on an RBI single hit by Nathan Lukes during the first inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Monday, Sept. 21, 2026, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)