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

DETROIT (AP) — 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.

Dillon 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.

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Detroit Tigers' Jackson Jobe pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Tigers' Dillon Dingler singles to drive in two runs against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Oneil Cruz dives into home plate to score against the Detroit Tigers on a single hit by Ryan O'Hearn during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Tigers' Spencer Torkelson celebrates after his solo home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

TORONTO (AP) — Nathan Lukes hit a go-ahead single in a four-run seventh inning, Kazuma Okamoto had two hits and three RBIs, and the Toronto Blue Jays rallied to beat the Cincinnati Reds 6-5 on Friday night.

Cincinnati’s Elly De La Cruz stole third base in the third inning to become the fourth player in Reds history with at least 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in the same season.

De La Cruz, who started at DH on Friday, hit his 30th home run in Thursday’s 7-6 win at Atlanta.

Mason Fluharty (7-1) got two outs for the win and Louis Varland worked a 1-2-3 ninth against the top of the lineup for his 35th save in 37 chances.

Alejandro Kirk and Okamoto hit RBI doubles off Nick Lodolo in the first. Cincinnati’s Eugenio Suárez hit a home run in the second to make it 2-1.

The Reds chased José Soriano with a four-run third. De La Cruz hit a two-run double, stole third and scored on Sal Stewart’s single. Héctor Rodríguez drove in the fourth run with a fielder’s choice.

Soriano allowed five runs and eight hits.

Toronto's seventh began with back-to-back walks issued by Luis Mey (0-2).

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. followed with an RBI single, a hit that was redirected when the bouncing ball was struck by a flying piece of Guerrero’s broken bat.

After George Springer reached on Oswaldo Cabrera’s fielding error, Pierce Johnson replaced Mey. Okamoto greeted Johnson with a tying double to center and Lukes followed with his RBI single.

Before the game, Guerrero apologized for recent comments about his 14-year, $500 million contract. He finished 1 for 5.

Blue Jays RHP Trey Yesavage (5-5, 3.67 ERA) is scheduled to start Saturday against Reds RHP Rhett Lowder (6-12, 6.01).

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Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Jose Soriano throws to a Cincinnati Reds batter during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. (Jon Blacker/The Canadian Press via AP)

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Nick Lodolo throws to a Toronto Blue Jays batter during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. (Jon Blacker/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement (22) throws to first base to complete a double play after forcing out Cincinnati Reds' Juan Brito (46) during the second inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. (Jon Blacker/The Canadian Press via AP)

Cincinnati Reds designated hitter Eugenio Suarez (28) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the second inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. (Jon Blacker/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays' Kazuma Okamoto hits an RBI double against the Cincinnati Reds, scoring Alejandro Kirk, during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. (Jon Blacker/The Canadian Press via AP)