The Detroit Tigers had their best top-50 start since 2006 in the bullpen relay against the Cardinals

The Detroit Tigers beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-1 at Busch Field on Wednesday to improve their record to 33-17 and lead the major leagues in the first 50 games of the season for the first time since 2006. The series-deciding "bullpen relay battle" saw the Tigers win for the fifth time in their last six series.

"The reality is that every day there are new tests and you have to be ready at all times," said head coach A.J. Kimchi. "After Monday's fiasco, we see the next day as the most critical battle of the year," Hinch said. After that win, we had another chance to win the series today and finally rely on teamwork to achieve our goals. "

Starting pitcher Brant Hurter set the tone with a three-inning scoreless, hitting 1 hit, 2 strikeouts and 1 guarantee. Defusing the crisis in the second inning: Iván Herrera sent a hit to Alec Burleson to form a third base, and third baseman Zach McKinstry handled Jordan Walker's 105.5mph hit ball to complete the block. Hurt then tackled nine hitters in a row, with a strikeout of Masyn Winn in the first inning and a stria of Brendan Donovan at the end of the third inning.

Chase Lee, who took over, scored his first major league win without a hitter in two innings: "It started with a great three innings from Hurt, and the offense scored early so we didn't have to strive for perfection. Sean Guenther, Brenan Hanifee, Tyler Holton and Beau Brieske relayed the final four innings, with the latter finishing without conceding a point. Kimchi praised the cowshed: "Even if the first hit is not perfect, they always find a way to make it out." "

The batting end continued the season's tone, with Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson opening the game back-to-back and Green opening the scoring with Colt Keith's flying sacrifice. After two of the four innings, Green sent a second base on the right field of Tokelson (narrowly avoiding Walker Gloves) to run back for the second point. "Yesterday I deviated from the strike strategy," Tokelsen admits, "and today I focused on the basics, and the trust plan paid off." "

Two men hit base again after six innings, with Green scoring on a hit from Dillon Dingler and Torkelson trying to get on home plate while Dingler was caught between bases. In the eighth inning, Tokelsen added two points with a high-flying sacrifice from Trey Sweeney and a well-timed hit by Javier Báez. The two combined for 3 hits and 4 drives, scoring 4 of the team's 5 points.

The Tigers are 15-7 in their last 22 games and 16 away games, leading the major leagues. The first two 50 games and 33+ wins in the team's history (1984, 2006) ended in the American League championship. Next up is the Cleveland Guardians, who will host the 2024 American League divisional rivals.

"We are aware of the challenges of the schedule," Kimchi said, "but enjoy the victory at the moment and the return flight will be full of joy." Face your rivals and get ready to get started. "