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Greene leads Tigers to big win to open double dip

From left, the Detroit Tigers' Colt Keith, Gleyber Torres and Riley Greene hug at home plate after Greene's three-run homer during the first inning in the opening game of a doubleheader against the Nationals on Wednesday in Washington. (AP photo)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Riley Greene hit a pair of three-run homers and matched a career high with six RBIs, leading the Detroit Tigers over the Washington Nationals 11-2 in the first game of a day-night doubleheader Wednesday.

Jake Rogers and Spencer Torkelson also homered while Zach McKinstry had four hits for Detroit, which has won three in a row and six of eight. The Tigers at 54-32 moved 22 games over .500 for the first time since finishing 2013 at 93-69.

Alex Call had three hits for Washington, which has not won consecutive games since May 28-31 and has lost nine of its last 10 at home.

Trevor Williams (3-10) allowed three-run homers in the first to Greene’ on a full-count sweeper and to Rogers on a fastball, Rogers’ first home run this season.

Greene padded Detroit’s lead in the fourth. After Gleyber Torres walked and Wenceel Pérez singled against Jackson Rutledge, Greene hit his 21st for a 10-0 lead.

Greene had his seventh multi-homer game, his fourth this season and second in 10 games.

Torkelson led off the sixth with his 18th homer.

Opener Tyler Holton struck out three in two scoreless innings for Detroit. Rookie Dylan Smith (1-0) pitched 3 1/3 shutout innings for his first big league victory.

Key stat

Detroit improved to 4-0 in doubleheaders openers this season.

2 players on DL

The Tigers placed outfielder Kerry Carpenter on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a right hamstring strain. The move was retroactive to Monday. The 27-year-old, who is hitting .257 with 16 homers and 32 RBIs this season, was lifted in the fifth inning of Sunday’s game against Minnesota for a pinch runner.

Manager A.J. Hinch indicated Carpenter will not return before the All-Star break.

“It’s mild. It’s very similar to what he’s been playing through, but this is the second time we’ve had this scare on the field where we’re not sure if he can continue to go — the outfield play, the running,” Hinch said.

Detroit recalled infielder Trey Sweeney from Triple-A Toledo to take Carpenter’s roster spot before Wednesday’s doubleheader. Sweeney, who is hitting .221 with four home runs and 23 RBIs in 70 games, was sent to the minors Saturday.

The Tigers also placed right-handed pitcher Sawyer Gipson-Long on the 15-day injured list with neck stiffness and recalled righty Tyler Owens from Toledo. Detroit also summoned left-hander Bailey Horn from Toledo as its 27th man for the doubleheader.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

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