The Detroit Tigers were already trailing by eight runs when catcher Tucker Barnhart — still searching for his first home run this season — stepped to the plate in the fifth inning against Kansas City Royals rookie starter Jonathan Heasley.
On a second-pitch fastball, Barnhart unleashed his most powerful swing of the year and drove the ball into the right-field seats for his first home run as a Tiger, in his 257th plate appearance. The 31-year-old hadn’t homered since Aug. 16, 2021, as a member of the Cincinnati Reds.
A feel-good moment for Barnhart? Of course.
“It’s about time,” Barnhart said. “Never gone this long. It’s funny how this game is a constant search sometimes, and I found something today in the (batting) cage that I’ve been looking for, that for whatever reason I couldn’t find. I hope I can keep it going.”
But the lone home run — compared to the Royals’ four homers — didn’t impact the outcome of the game. The Tigers were blown out, 12-2, in the second of three games in the series at Comerica Park.
“Our lack of execution was the result of their offense,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “They did a nice job offensively, but it starts with bad pitches.”
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The Tigers (51-82) used position player Kody Clemens on the mound in the ninth inning. Clemens has entered for five pitching appearances this season, and twice this week (he also took the mound Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners). A scoreless ninth lowered Clemens’ ERA to 3.60.
Rookie infielder Ryan Kreidler, in his second MLB game, collected a sacrifice fly in the second inning for his first RBI and an infield single in the fifth for his first hit. He also had a bloop single in the seventh.
“Good things happen when you make contact,” Hinch said. “The sacrifice fly was very important at the time of the game. He plays the game so well defensively. He had another excellent day. His first step is great, his energy his great, his arm is fantastic. … It sure is nice to have his vibe around our team.”
Rookie first baseman Spencer Torkelson, the 2020 No. 1 overall pick, finished 0-for-2 with a walk and a hit-by-pitch. He grounded into an inning-ending double play in the sixth inning on a 94.9 mph four-seam fastball over the heart of the plate.
Barnhart went 2-for-3 with a double, home run, walk and strikeout.
The Royals scored in every inning except the second, eighth and ninth.
Veteran Pineda pounded by rookie Witt
In his first start since returning from the injured list, right-hander Michael Pineda was rocked by the Royals for five runs on six hits and two walks with three strikeouts over four innings. He nearly failed to escape the fourth.
The 33-year-old gave one run in the first inning, three runs in the third and one run in the fourth.
“I felt pretty good,” Pineda said. “I was so excited today. I missed and made mistakes on a couple pitches. I gave up damage. Everything is great. I threw the ball good. But in specific counts that I had to make a good pitch, I missed.”
Nick Pratto, a rookie, ripped a solo home run on an 89.5 mph four-seam fastball in the first inning. It was the seventh pitch of Pineda’s outing. Bobby Witt Jr., another rookie, crushed a three-run homer on a 90.8 mph four-seamer in the third inning.
“I need to be better and execute my pitch when I need it,” Pineda said.
Witt, drafted No. 2 overall in 2019 (three spots ahead of Riley Greene), put the Royals ahead 4-1 and became the second rookie (along with Julio Rodriguez) to reach 20 homers and 20 stolen bases this season. He also has more than 20 doubles.
In the fourth, MJ Melendez — another Kansas City rookie — singled off Pineda’s changeup for a 5-1 lead.
Pineda threw 39 four-seam fastballs (49%), 25 sliders (31%) and 16 changeups (20%). He recorded seven swings and misses — one fastball, five sliders, one changeup — and 12 called strikes.
“They’re rookies in terms of service time,” Hinch said, “but now that they’ve been around a little bit, Melendez does not play like a rookie. He’s up there to do damage. Bobby Witt Jr. is not a rookie. … They have some talent.”
Foley not grand in the fifth
The Royals kept their foot on the gas.
Facing right-handed reliever Jason Foley, the Royals tallied three consecutive singles before rookie Kyle Isbel delivered the first grand slam of his career for a 9-1 lead in the fifth inning.
Melendez hit a solo home run off left-hander Daniel Norris in the sixth. One inning later, Nate Eaton — a rookie playing his 21st MLB game — tagged Norris’ changeup for a two-run double and a 12-2 advantage.
Right-hander Jose Cisnero pitched a scoreless eighth.