CINCINNATI — Pinch-hitter Wenceel Pérez hit a two-run homer and Mark Canha doubled home the go-ahead run in the eighth inning as the Detroit Tigers locked up their first series win in two weeks, rallying to beat the Cincinnati Reds 5-3 on Saturday.
The Tigers won the first game Friday night 5-4. They won their first series since taking two of three from the Chicago White Sox June 21-23.
''What a fun win,'' Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. ''You know, we talk about winning series all the time, and this was the first series in a while where we feel really good about where we're at. Very proud of these dudes, and we'll see where it takes us.''
The Reds were cruising along with a 2-0 lead behind starter Hunter Greene, who left after pitching seven shutout innings and not allowing a runner past first base.
The trouble for Cincinnati came in the eighth against Fernando Cruz (3-6), who allowed a double to Parker Meadows and then the game-tying blow by Pérez.
''That fired me up,'' Perez said. ''Just tried to get ready for a pitch in the middle and then I got it. When Parker hit the double, I was just ready for it. We never quit. We just started to get our pitches.''
The Tigers put two more across in the inning on a groundout and a double by Carson Kelly.
Greene pitched another good one, to no avail. He allowed just three hits while striking out seven and walking two.
