Brant

Hurter

Hurter took over after Keider Montero pitched a scoreless first and went without allowing a run despite giving up five hits. Beau Brieske replaced him with two on in the fifth and stranded both runners. Hurter, who was also very effective in a bulk role at the end of the regular season, has pitched five scoreless innings over two postseason appearances to date.

Hurter has been so good that the Tigers are going to have to keep using him like this behind Tarik Skubal in the postseason. He closes out the regular season 6-1 with a 2.58 ERA. The Tigers have won each of his last seven appearances, and they only lost his first three because they totaled three runs in those games.

Beau Brieske opened the game and retired all four batters he faced before turning things over to Hurter. The 26-year-old Hurter, pitching in his eighth game as a big-leaguer, remained perfect through the seventh before walking Adley Rutschman in a long at-bat to begin the eighth. He was lifted at that point, and Brenan Hanifee retired three in a row to finish the eighth. Tyler Holton took over in the ninth and wound up losing the no-hitter after 26 outs on a groundball triple from Gunnar Henderson. Hurter won a fifth straight outing between one start and four appearances as a bulk reliever; he’s pitched 24 2/3 innings and allowed six runs in those games. His overall ERA stands at 2.56 in 38 2/3 innings. The bulk role really does help with wins, so he’s not a bad option right now. However, it looks like he probably won’t pitch again before next Friday in a rematch versus the Orioles.

Hurter, who came in with two outs in the first, got the win despite opposing starter Brady Basso pitching six scoreless innings. Fortunately for Hurter, the Tigers scored twice in the top of the seventh, putting him in line for the win even though he was done for the day. Hurter has won each of his last four appearances, which includes one start and three bulk outings. His stuff is average at best, but he’s getting grounders and avoiding walks. It’s led to a 3.00 ERA through 33 innings. He’ll probably face the Orioles next, unless maybe the Tigers decide to push back Tarik Skubal and let Hurter face the Rockies in Detroit instead. That’d make him much more viable in fantasy leagues.