The Detroit Tigers finished off the Twins with a win, improving to 29-40. They’re 8.5 games back of the Chicago White Sox for the American League Central. They’re 5.5 games back of the Rangers for the final spot in the American League wild card standings.
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MLB Game Recap
The Tigers got on the board first as Kevin McGonigle led off with a double and advanced to third on a fly out and scored on a Riley Greene sacrifice fly. In the fourth, the Tigers got an RBI single from Colt Keith. Keith would then score on a two-run home run from Spencer Torkelson that made it 4-0. In the fifth, Gleyber Torres hit a solo home run to make it 5-0. In the sixth, Keith hit a two-run home run, his first of the season, to make it 7-0. Greene joined the action with a solo home run to add to the Tigers’ lead. The Detroit offense continued its offensive attack with a two-run home run from Zach McKinstry to make it 9-0. A few batters later, Wenceel Perez joined the fun with a two-run homer to make it 11-0.
Keider Montero made his case to be in the starting rotation, going 6.1 scoreless innings, allowing four hits, one walk, and striking out four. Tyler Holton was next out of the bullpen, going 1.2 scoreless innings. He allowed a hit, no walks, and struck out two. Beau Brieske shut the door, going one inning without allowing a baserunner and striking out one.
Standout Performer
Colt Keith had a big day at the plate, going 2-4 with three RBI and two runs scored. He had the RBI single in the fourth and the two-run homer in the sixth.
Key News & Notes
The Tigers won their third straight series as they improved to 7-2 in June. They’re averaging 6.9 runs per game while allowing 3.5 runs per game. The Tigers this month have scored seven or more runs in six of their nine games. This was also their second shutout of the month.
Before the game, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch confirmed ace Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize will return this weekend. Skubal will pitch Saturday against the Cleveland Guardians, and Mize will go on Sunday in the series finale. Skubal had surgery back in April for loose bodies in his elbow. He made a rehab appearance on Sunday at High-A West Michigan, going five scoreless innings, allowing two hits, no walks, and striking out six. Mize, in his rehab start at Single-A Lakeland on Tuesday, went five innings, allowing a run on three hits. Hinch did say Troy Melton will pitch Monday, and he didn’t rule out the possibility of a six-man starting rotation. It’s perfect timing as the Tigers are hot and looking to climb back into the postseason chase, and they can do it now with two of their best pitchers back on the mound.
The Tigers also acquired right-handed pitcher Jacob Waguespack from the Brewers for a player to be named or cash consideration. Waguespack, in 16 games this season at Triple-A Nashville, has a 1.66 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP, and 33 strikeouts in 21.2 innings. They also claimed outfielder James Outman off waivers from the Twins. In 49 games, he’s hit .156 with a .479 OPS. He has four doubles, a triple, three RBI, and nine runs scored.
Farm Report
- Toledo Mud Hens (AAA): Sawyer Gipson-Long went five scoreless innings, allowing a hit, a walk, and striking out five in a 1-0 loss to the Saints.
- Erie SeaWolves (AA): Izaac Pacheco went 2-3 with two RBI and a run scored in an 8-7 win over the RubberDucks.
- West Michigan Whitecaps (A+): Andrew Sojka went 3-5 with an RBI and two runs scored in a 6-5 loss to the Captains.
- Lakeland Flying Tigers (A): Hunter Dobbins went 2-4 with an RBI in a 5-2 loss to the Threshers.
- FCL Tigers (ROK): Jack Bushell went five innings, allowing one run on a hit, no walks, and struck out ten in a 4-2 win over FCL Phillies.
- DSL Tigers 1 (ROK): Enny Rodriguez went 2-4 with a three-run home run in an 8-6 loss to the DSL Phillies.
- DSL Tigers 2 (ROK): Manuel Bolivar went 3-4 with a triple and a run scored in a 7-2 loss to the DSL Marlins.
