Valdez gave the Tigers exactly what they needed, working six innings and allowing just one unearned run. Colorado had chances against him, especially in the fifth, but Detroit’s defense helped keep the game close long enough for the offense to wake up. The Rockies opened that inning with back-to-back singles from Troy Johnston and Jordan Beck, putting runners at the corners with nobody out. Valdez responded by getting Ezequiel Tovar on a fielder’s choice at the plate, then Zach McKinstry threw out Beck trying to score on Jake McCarthy’s single. Colorado eventually pushed across a run on Kevin McGonigle’s fielding error, but Valdez avoided further damage and kept Detroit within one.
