Rookie Keider Montero leads Tigers to first shutout in 3 seasons, 11-0

DETROIT (AP) — Rookie pitcher Keider Montero delivered an outstanding performance for the Detroit Tigers, throwing the team’s first shutout in three seasons as they defeated the Colorado Rockies 11-0 on Tuesday night.

This marked Montero’s 14th start in the major leagues, and he made history as the first Tigers pitcher to record nine shutout innings since Spencer Turnbull’s no-hitter against Seattle on May 18, 2021. The 24-year-old right-hander was remarkable, needing only 96 pitches to face the minimum of 27 batters. Throughout the game, he surrendered just three hits and recorded five strikeouts without issuing any walks.

All three singles hit by the Rockies came in separate innings, but each time, they were promptly extinguished by the Tigers’ infield, who turned double plays to keep Colorado from capitalizing on their opportunities. Ryan McMahon connected for a single in the second inning, followed by Ezequiel Tovar in the seventh, and Aaron Schunk in the eighth.

For the Tigers, Parker Meadows opened the scoring with a solo home run in the first inning, bringing his total to seven for the season. He played a central role in the offensive explosion, driving in three runs throughout the game.

On the mound for Colorado, starting pitcher Bradley Blalock struggled significantly, allowing five runs on five hits along with five walks in just four innings of work. This was a stark contrast to the Rockies’ recent success, as they had retired 23 consecutive batters during their previous game in Milwaukee, which they won 4-1. However, that streak came to an abrupt end with Meadows’ home run deep into the right-field stands.

This particular matchup was noteworthy for Meadows and Blalock, as the two had previously played together as high school teammates at Grayson High School in Georgia, making this their first encounter at the major league level.

The Tigers continued their offensive onslaught in the second inning when they loaded the bases due to two walks and an error. In a clutch moment, Riley Greene tripled into the right-field corner, boosting the Tigers’ lead to 4-0. Matt Vierling then added to the score with an RBI single, extending Detroit’s advantage to five runs.

Meadows kept the momentum going, contributing with a two-run single off Rockies reliever Anthony Molina in the sixth, which pushed the score to 7-0. He later crossed home plate on a sacrifice fly by Vierling, and Andy Ibáñez added a two-run single as part of a six-run inning for the Tigers.

The last Tigers pitcher to accomplish what is known as a “Maddux”—a shutout thrown in fewer than 100 pitches, a term inspired by Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux—was David Price, who achieved the feat against Cleveland on June 12, 2015.

Looking ahead, the Tigers and Rockies will continue their three-game series on Wednesday. Detroit’s right-handed pitcher Casey Mize, who has a record of 2-6 with a 4.30 ERA, is set to take the mound. As for Colorado, no starter has been named yet for the upcoming game.