Abrams homers twice as Nationals edge Tigers 3-1

CJ Abrams hit two home runs off Drew Anderson, and Detroit managed just one run a day after scoring nine in the series opener.

CJ Abrams hit a solo home run in the second inning and a two-run shot in the seventh to account for all of Washington's scoring, as the Nationals defeated the Detroit Tigers 3-1 at Comerica Park on Tuesday, Sept. 22.

Tigers starter Drew Anderson worked a season-long six innings, holding every Nationals hitter except Abrams to two singles over the night. He needed only 65 pitches, threw first-pitch strikes to 18 of 22 batters, and leaned heavily on his changeup and curveball. The seventh-inning homer came on a 1-0 changeup that he left up in the zone.

It was the final start of the year for Anderson, who entered with a 2.36 ERA and a .210/.314/.346 opponent slash line over his previous 10 starts, allowing three runs or fewer in each. He is one of only five big-league pitchers to make at least 11 starts and 38 or more relief appearances in the same season.

Detroit, already eliminated from playoff contention and resting regulars Riley Greene and Dillon Dingler, scored its lone run in the sixth when Ben Malgeri came home on a wild pitch by reliever Jackson Kent. The Tigers had seven hits but went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.

Rookie Kevin McGonigle reached base safely for the 258th time this season, two shy of the Tigers' single-season record set by Harvey Kuenn in 1953.