League date: August 1, 2027

PHOENIX, AZ — With the Cleveland Guardians breathing down their necks, the Detroit Tigers needed a win to maintain their slim lead atop the AL Central. Colt Keith delivered, launching a two-run homer in the seventh inning to lift Detroit to a 6-5 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the rubber match at Chase Field.

Keith’s 29th homer of the season gave Detroit a 6-4 advantage and ultimately provided the winning runs. Earlier, he put the Tigers ahead 1-0 in the first with a triple to center that scored Gavin Lux from first. Arizona answered in the second when Corbin Carroll led off with a solo homer before Alek Thomas delivered an RBI single and Lars Nootbaardoubled home Thomas for a 3-1 lead.

Detroit battled back to tie the game in the fourth, but Nootbaar struck again with an RBI single to put Arizona back in front, 4-3. Corbin Burnes departed after five innings, allowing four runs on eight hits while striking out two. The Tigers then jumped on reliever Tyler Alexander, with Keith’s two-run blast in the seventh completing the comeback.

Tigers starter Freddy Peralta worked five innings, allowing four runs — three earned — while striking out seven. He did not factor in the decision. Detroit carried a 6-4 lead into the ninth, but defensive miscues helped Arizona push across a run against closer Matt Svanson. Svanson didn’t waver, recording the final out to preserve the 6-5 victory.

AS IT STANDS…

The Guardians (65-48) had briefly trimmed Detroit’s division lead to a half-game with an 8-1 victory over the Angels, but the Tigers (66-47) restored their one-game advantage with the win. Detroit now returns to Comerica Park for a key series against the Kansas City Royals, who are battling for the third AL Wild Card spot. Arizona (59-53) fell 2½ games behind the Padres for the final NL Wild Card position.