The Tigers need innings and zeros from Framber Valdez, thrust into the ace role with Tarik Skubal set to undergo elbow surgery and with his team coming off back-to-back bullpen games. On Tuesday, they got neither.

Cedanne Rafaela capped off a two-out first-inning rally with a three-run home run off Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Framber Valdez. The Tigers responded with two first-inning runs of their own, but a scoreless second frame gave way to an offensive explosion from Boston in the third.

DETROIT — Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Framber Valdez was ejected in the fourth inning Tuesday night after surrendering back-to-back home runs and then hitting a batter. Willson Contreras and Wilyer Abreu opened the inning with consecutive homers to give the Boston Red Sox a 10–2 lead.

Things got chippy between the Reds and Giants during Thursday afternoon's three-game series finale at Great American Ball Park, resulting in Cincinnati reliever Connor Phillips being ejected in the top of the eighth inning and both benches clearing after the final out of the Giants' 3-0 victory.

Valdez said he did not hit Trevor Story on purpose, but a possible suspension would be another hit to his reputation and his wounded team.

Giants closer Erik Miller struck out Reds rookie Sal Stewart to finish the team's 3-0 victory Thursday, April 16 at Great American Ball Park. The 6-5 lefty exulted and walked toward his own dugout. Stewart, though, apparently took issue with Miller's verbosity, turned and headed toward Miller.