Detroit suffered a bitter defeat on Father’s Day, falling 8–4 to Cincinnati after holding a mid‑game lead. Jahmai Jones and Wenceel Pérez provided early fireworks for Detroit with solo homers in the third and fifth innings, respectively.

Starter Tyler Holton and reliever Sawyer Gipson‑Long kept Cincinnati at bay early, but the Tigers’ defense began to crumble. A costly error by Brant Hurter in the eighth opened the floodgates, and closer Will Vest compounded issues by yielding a two‑run sac fly, delivering a wild pitch, and failing to cover home plate during a rundown. Five unearned runs in that inning doomed Detroit’s bid.

Cincinnati’s comeback was led by Elly De La Cruz, who extended his home‑run streak to four games and finished with three hits and three RBIs, including a go‑ahead two‑run shot in the ninth. His late heroics underscored Detroit’s defensive breakdown and swung momentum firmly in the Reds’ favor.

Adding to Detroit’s woes, Vest exited the game with discomfort in his pinky after the wild pitch—a concern for a bullpen already stretched thin. Manager A.J. Hinch confirmed Vest would undergo tests during Monday’s off‑day before the next series against Pittsburgh.

The loss exposed vulnerabilities in Detroit’s bullpen depth, already strained by other injuries and recent bullpen adjustments. With Tyler Owens recently recalled from Triple‑A and rookies like Brant Hurter and Sawyer Gipson‑Long shouldering heavy loads, the Tigers can’t afford extended absences from impact relievers.

Detroit will regroup during the off‑day and hope to shore up bullpen health before Tuesday’s clash with Pittsburgh.

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