The Detroit Tigers sent the Washington Nationals home with a 9-2 beatdown at Comerica Park on Monday, September 21, 2026, powered by three home runs and a combined effort from River Ryan and Keider Montero that kept Washington scoreless through seven innings. Ben Malgeri led the offensive charge with a home run and three RBI, while Spencer Torkelson and Javier Báez each added long balls of their own. Detroit's pitching staff held the Nationals to two runs on five hits through the first eight innings before a brief ninth-inning blip from Drew Sommers made the final margin a tidy 9-2.

Montero and Ryan Shut Down Washington's Lineup

River Ryan opened things on the mound and was sharp through three innings, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out three without giving up a run. Then Keider Montero took over and was simply dominant. The right-hander worked four innings, punched out five, and surrendered just one hit and one walk — earning him the win. Together, Ryan and Montero combined for seven scoreless innings on three hits and eight strikeouts, keeping the Nationals completely off the board while Detroit's offense built a comfortable cushion.

Drew Sommers worked the eighth and ran into trouble, allowing two earned runs on two hits, which accounted for both of Washington's runs. Beau Brieske closed things out in the ninth with a clean inning, striking out one and allowing nothing.

Malgeri, Torkelson, and Báez Provide the Power

Detroit's offense did its damage early and often against Washington starter DJ Herz. The Nationals' lefty went four innings but allowed four earned runs on five hits with two walks and four strikeouts before the Tigers chased him. Luis Perales came in and fared even worse, giving up five earned runs on five hits in two innings as Detroit's lineup kept the pressure on.

Ben Malgeri went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI — the biggest individual offensive performance of the night. Spencer Torkelson added a home run and two RBI on 1-for-4 hitting. Javier Báez, working with just two at-bats, also went deep and knocked in two. Three home runs, seven combined RBI from those three bats alone.

The lineup got contributions up and down the order. Hao-Yu Lee went 3-for-5 with an RBI. Eduardo Valencia was 3-for-4. Dillon Dingler added two hits in three at-bats. Detroit finished with 15 hits as a team — a thorough, professional offensive performance.

Turning Point: The Early Offensive Eruption Against Herz

The game turned before Washington ever had a chance to establish anything. Detroit's hitters got into Herz early, forcing him to work from behind in counts and eventually chasing him after just four innings with four runs already on the board. When Perales came in and the Tigers immediately kept hitting — piling on five more runs in two innings — any realistic path back for the Nationals closed fast. This was a wire-to-wire effort by Detroit.

Key Performances at a Glance

  • Ben Malgeri: 2-for-4, 1 HR, 3 RBI
  • Hao-Yu Lee: 3-for-5, 1 RBI
  • Eduardo Valencia: 3-for-4
  • Spencer Torkelson: 1-for-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI
  • Javier Báez: 1-for-2, 1 HR, 2 RBI
  • Dillon Dingler: 2-for-3
  • Keider Montero (W): 4.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
  • River Ryan: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K

What's Next for the Tigers

Detroit has now taken care of business against a Washington club that gave them little resistance. With the calendar deep into September 2026, every game carries weight. The Tigers will need to carry this offensive energy and pitching continuity into their next matchup. Montero's performance in relief Wednesday — four dominant innings — makes him worth watching as A.J. Hinch navigates the final stretch of the roster in a meaningful part of the schedule. Keep an eye on how Sommers is managed after that rough eighth; with the pen tested late, usage decisions in the coming days will matter.