Detroit Tigers get power from Zack Short vs. Yankees, doubleheader sweep in two cities

TAMPA, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers beat the New York Yankees, 5-3, on Friday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

The Tigers improved to 5-3 in Grapefruit League play.

What happened

The Tigers secured a rare road doubleheader sweep on Friday.

Against two different teams. In two different cities.

Manager A.J. Hinch watched the Tigers beat the Philadelphia Phillies, 6-3, on Friday afternoon in Clearwater and then rushed to Tampa for the nightcap. A 20-mile drive that can be brutal in the Tampa Bay-area traffic.

But he made it to both games.

“It was a long day for the staff and a lot of baseball, but it was pretty productive as the day went on,” Hinch said.

FRIDAY’S GAME 1:Riley Greene, Matt Vierling lead Tigers to 6-3 win over Phillies

ON THE MOUND:How Tigers’ new-school regime is resuscitating Matt Manning’s potential

Starting off

Oh brother, it was Meadows Day against the Yankees.

Hinch loaded the top of his lineup with Staci Meadows’ two boys.

Parker Meadows started the game in center and batted second. Austin Meadows, Parker’s older brother, started in right and batted third.

Which set up a magical moment, just seeing Parker in the batter’s box and Austin in the on-deck circle at the same time.

Parker showed off his arm in the second inning, gunning out Harrison Bader, who had tagged up at second and was trying to get to third. But Meadows threw a bullet from the center and gunned him down. Let it be known: Stay parked vs. Parker.

“That was huge; I was fired up,” starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen said. “He hosed him. That was impressive.”

Hinch was just as happy about the decision to throw to third and not home. “A great decision,” Hinch said.

FAMILY AFFAIR:Detroit Tigers’ Parker Meadows makes ‘special’ memory in spring training with brother, parents

At the plate

The Tigers came into the game leading MLB with 17 home runs over their seven games this spring, an average of 2.43 per game, and a huge improvement from their 0.68 average — an MLB-worst 110 in 162 games — in the 2022 regular season.

Zack Short got into the act, hitting a homer in the sixth inning.

But the big damage was a simple single at a critical moment. Michael Papierski had the big hit, knocking in a pair of runs.

On the mound

Lorenzen asked to pitch on Friday night. He wanted to experience a night game against the Yankees. He wanted to feel the butterflies of starting the game on the road.

Most of all, he wanted to face the Yankees’ loaded lineup. Just to get ready for the season.

“It felt really good, my stuff was really good,” he said. “The workload is going to get better and better. I’m a little tired. I was throwing most of the night with runners on.”

Lorenzen faced runners in both his innings. He treated the pitch clock like a game within the game. He wasn’t afraid to let the clock wind down, messing with Aaron Judge on second. He also tried to him pick him off. To some batters, he held the ball. To others, he rushed.

“It was fun,” Lorensen said. “It doesn’t bother me. I’ve always been a fan of holding the ball and changing timing.”

He allowed one run in two innings of work. He was particularly happy with his slider. “I felt like I threw some really good sliders,” Lorenzen said. “I just got to get more conditioned.”

After Lorenzen was done, the Tigers started blanking the Yankees. Jason Foley (one), Tyler Holton (two) and Trey Wingenter (one) all threw scoreless innings.

“We threw the ball pretty well early,” Hinch said.

After the Tigers built a 4-1 lead, they got into trouble with Adam Wolf on the mound. The Yankees loaded the bases with no outs. After Wolf walked in a run and allowed a sacrifice fly, Hinch pulled him. Sawyer Gipson-Long, who has never pitched above Double-A, got out of the jam with ease to end the rally.

OUTFIELD HUSTLE: How Tigers’ Matt Vierling became a ‘yes man’ in the best way possible