Rookie Eduardo Valencia homers in first at-bat as Tigers defeat Athletics
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 10, 2026, 1:19 AM
Last updated Jul 10, 2026
The Detroit Tigers defeated the Oakland Athletics 4-1 at Comerica Park on July 9, marking their fifth consecutive win. Rookie catcher Eduardo Valencia made a significant impact, homering in his first MLB at-bat during the seventh inning. The Tigers completed a three-game sweep of the Athletics, improving their record to 43-50. Starter Framber Valdez delivered a strong performance, allowing just one run across seven innings. Valencia's memorable debut includes being the 10th Tiger to homer in their first at-bat.
- •Tigers improve to 43-50 with five straight wins
- •Eduardo Valencia homered in his first MLB at-bat
- •Framber Valdez struck out nine in his start
- •Jake Rogers and Zach McKinstry also homered
- •Tigers swept the Athletics in the three-game series
- 10:37 AMYahoo Sports — Tigers' Eduardo Valencia homers in first MLB at-bat, honors Venezuela
- 1:48 AMYahoo Sports — Valencia homers in 1st career plate appearance in the Tigers' 4-1 victory over the A's
- 1:19 AMYahoo Sports — Rookie Eduardo Valencia homers in 1st AB as Tigers win 5th straight
"Eduardo Valencia became the 10th Detroit player to homer in his first career plate appearance, Framber Valdez pitched seven innings and the Tigers beat the Athletics 4-1 on Thursday night for a series sweep. The Valencia entered as a pinch-hitter in the seventh against Hogan Harris and sent a 425-foot shot to center to cap the scoring and help the Tigers seal their third straight series victory.
"Detroit Tigers score: Rookie catcher Eduardo Valencia homered in his first career MLB at-bat as the Tigers won their fifth straight game on Thursday.
"Detroit Tigers rookie Eduardo Valencia hit a 425-foot homer in his first career at-bat to contribute to a 4-1 win over the Athletics in Detroit.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 10, 2026, 10:37 AMTigers' Eduardo Valencia homers in first MLB at-bat, honors Venezuela
Detroit Tigers rookie Eduardo Valencia hit a 425-foot homer in his first career at-bat to contribute to a 4-1 win over the Athletics in Detroit.
- Yahoo SportsJul 10, 2026, 1:48 AMValencia homers in 1st career plate appearance in the Tigers' 4-1 victory over the A's
Eduardo Valencia became the 10th Detroit player to homer in his first career plate appearance, Framber Valdez pitched seven innings and the Tigers beat the Athletics 4-1 on Thursday night for a series sweep. The Valencia entered as a pinch-hitter in the seventh against Hogan Harris and sent a 425-foot shot to center to cap the scoring and help the Tigers seal their third straight series victory.
- Yahoo SportsJul 10, 2026, 1:19 AMRookie Eduardo Valencia homers in 1st AB as Tigers win 5th straight
Detroit Tigers score: Rookie catcher Eduardo Valencia homered in his first career MLB at-bat as the Tigers won their fifth straight game on Thursday.
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