Another day, another round against the Rangers. This time we got to watch Jack Flaherty go up against Dane Dunning.
It was a fine night indeed for a certain Zach McKinstry, who finally collected his first home run of the season, but don’t let me get too far ahead of myself.
The first inning was blink and you’d miss it fast, as both teams went 1-2-3.
Onto the second, Colt Keith got a one-out single, then a struggling Zach McKinstry at long last hit his first home run of the season, putting the Tigers on the board 2-0. Akil Baddoo then got a two-out walk before stealing second. The Tigers would have to settle for two though. The Rangers went three-up three-down in the home half.
In the third, with two outs Wenceel Perez reached on a fielding error from Josh Smith. That was it for Detroit baserunners though. The Rangers didn’t even manage that in their half.
Zack McKinstry wasn’t done for the day yet, knocking a triple with one out in the top of the fourth. Unfortunately, two outs later, he was still standing there. In the home half, Marcus Semien singled for the first Rangers hit of the day. One hit was all they got.
With two outs in the fifth, Riley Greene knocked a home run of his own.
Nathaniel Lowe singled in the bottom half of the inning, but no runs scored.
Dane Dunning was out as the sixth began, making way for Jesus Tinoco. Three Tigers outs followed. It was also the end of the game for Flaherty, as Alex Faedo came in out of the pen. Flaherty’s final line was 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K on 60 pitches. Jonah Heim singled, then two outs later Corey Seager walked. A wild pitch advanced both baserunners, but Faedo got out of the jam unscathed.
Top of the seventh we saw Akil Baddoo get a ground-rule double, then Carson Kelly get on base after being hit by a pitch. Two outs followed to end the inning. One out into the bottom half and Nathaniel Lowe walked. Faedo threw a wild pitch to advance Lowe to second, and Shelby Miller came in to replace him and got the final out.
Mark Canha got a one-out single in the top of the eighth, but a double play quickly ended the inning. The Rangers quickly went 1-2-3.
The Tigers failed to add to their lead in the top of the ninth, and it was all going to come down to Tyler Holton. Josh Smith singled to start things off. A fielder’s choice advanced Smith to second. Then what should have been the final out of the game was a dropped ball between Greene and McKinstry, allowing the Rangers to score a run, and forcing Hinch to go back to the bullpen for Jason Foley. Foley did get that final out, and the Tigers won, but lost the shutout.
Final: Tigers 3, Rangers 1