Cincinnati — Hao-Yu Lee was full of surprises Sunday.
Not only did he hit his first big-league home run, a two-run pinch-hit blast that ignited a four-run seventh inning as the Tigers salvaged the finale against the Reds, 8-3 at Great American Ball Park, but he conducted his post-game press conference mostly in English.
“I’m just too happy for this moment,” said the native of Chinese Taipei.
BOX SCORE: Tigers 8, Reds 3
He got the traditional “beer shower,” which consists of just about everything imaginable except beer.
“I smell like just about everything right now,” he said.
He also got the home run ball back and when asked what he planned to do with it, he smiled and said, “I’m going to hold it like a baby.”
It was a memorable day on multiple fronts for the Tigers.
Spencer Torkelson etched his name in the Tigers’ record books, homering for a fifth consecutive game.
“No, not at all,” he said when asked if he was aware of the historical significance of that 421-foot rocket to left field.
He was then told the list of the other Tigers who have hit homers in five straight games: Hank Greenberg, Rudy York, Willie Horton, Vic Wertz and Marcus Thames.
“Legends,” Torkelson said.
Torkelson also doubled twice and walked and went 6 for 11 in the series with three doubles, three homers and three RBIs.
“The main thing is, we won today,” he said. “And it was a clean win. I don’t feel like we played terrible in the first two games here. They just beat us. They slugged and that’ll happen. But I’m really proud of the way we stayed in the fight today and didn’t let up. We pushed through and Lee’s first tank, that was awesome.”
Manager AJ Hinch held two lefty-slayer options on his bench to use against the Reds two left-handed relievers when or if needed. He used Jahmai Jones in the sixth and he drew a walk against Brock Burke. In the seventh, with the Reds up 3-2, Hinch sent up Lee to bat for lefty Colt Keith against Sam Moll, with Gleyber Torres on first base.
“You never know when that moment is going to come,” Hinch said.
Lee unloaded on a four-seam fastball, driving it 402 feet into the right-centerfield stands and his exuberance rounding the bases was priceless, with multiple fist-pumps and skips and high-steps.
“The first thing I thought was, please don’t catch Gleyber,” Hinch said. “He was going so fast. But I love how much he put into it. It’s one of the first times he’s really going to feel a part of something big here. He did such a good job of being ready to hit and delivering in a win.
“In a win full of big moments, that was a huge one.
Lee laughed when he was asked if the moment matched his dreams.
“I mean, really different,” he said. “It was a pinch-hit. In my dreams, I’m starting. But it was pretty awesome. It just shows that even though I’m not starting, I am always ready.”
Contributions came all up and down the lineup. Gleyber Torres, who has been scuffling, got three hits including his second homer of the season. Kerry Carpenter had a double, triple and two RBI. Rookie Kevin McGonigle extended his on-base streak 24 games, making him the first 21-year-old Tiger to do that since Al Kaline in 1956.
Keider Montero battled through five innings — allowing solo homers to Nathaniel Lowe (his fourth of the series) and JJ Bleday. But he also utterly frustrated Reds’ slugger Elly De La Cruz, punching him out three times.
“I’ve known Elly for a long time,” Montero said through interpreter Carlos Guillen. “We played against each other in High-A. I was telling Wenceel (Perez), he only has two hits against me. (Comedic pause.) Both are homers.”
And the Tigers’ bullpen, which had been hard-used in this series and had allowed 10 runs in the first two games, got back in lockdown mode.
Brant Hurter, Will Vest, Kyle Finnegan and Brenan Hanifee, just called up from Toledo on Sunday morning to replace Connor Seabold (ankle), each pitched a scoreless inning.
“I thought we threw the ball a lot better today,” Hinch said. “Especially since we had to respond to some balls leaving the ballpark. We had a hard time keeping them in the park (10 homers in the series). They did with us, too, (eight homers). This ballpark can do that to you. You can’t shy away from the strike zone.”
The Tigers (14-13) head to Atlanta to start a three-game series Tuesday.
“I am going to enjoy my off day a little bit more,” Hinch said. “We believe in this team. And that is not contingent upon today’s win or on any particular day. But I love that we’re going to have a happy flight.”
@Chris.McCosky@detroitnews.com
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This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Lee sparks big inning as Detroit Tigers salvage series finale vs. Reds
Reporting by Chris McCosky, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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