This was a rough day for the Tigers. They lost they best hitter to the injured list, and then their pitching staff was mauled by the Twins offense to lose the first game of the homestand by a score of 9-3.
After falling apart in June, the Tigers rallied well in July. Unfortunately it’s going to prove too little too late as the injury bug has decimated the roster at this point. Riley Greene went on the 10-day IL with a hamstring strain prior to this game, joining Kerry Carpenter, Casey Mize, and Reese Olson. With four of their best players out, making it through the next few weeks is going to be difficult. That’s before they sell off again for the eighth straight season. That was reflected in this game as Keider Montero was shelled, and other than Javier Báez, the offense really struggled with Twins number one starter Pablo Lopez.
Montero’s goal was to throw strikes and get ahead of hitters, and he did only walk one in this game. However, he still fell behind hitters too often and left way too many pitches over the middle of the plate. The Twins repeatedly made him pay. The second and third hitters of the game, Byron Buxton and Trevor Larnach, each launched solo shots in the first inning to put the Tigers in a hole right from the start.
In the second, with one out, Montero tried to drop back to back curveballs on the inner edge to Matt Wallner. Bad idea, as Wallner was waiting on the second one and crushed it into the seats for a solo shot as well.
The Tigers bats were quiet early on, and they stayed that way. Montero spun a quick third to help him get his pitch count back in order, but it wouldn’t end up mattering much.
In the bottom of the third, Carson Kelly was hit to start the half inning and after Gio Urshela struck out on a nasty sweeper down and away, Javier Báez stepped to the dish and launched his second home run in as many days. That would be more fun if this wasn’t Báez’s third home run of the season coming in late July, but nice to see anyway.
So it was 3-2 Twins, and the Tigers were right back in the ballgame…for a minute.
Montero got the first out of the fourth inning and then walked Wallner. Christian Vazquez singled Wallner over to third, and then the veteran catcher stole second base as neither Montero nor Kelly were paying enough attention. Willi Castro sprayed a bouncer into left field to score Wallner and then Vazquez as the throw came into Colt Keith at second who tried to catch Castro taking the turn around first base and instead threw the ball away. Castro ended up on third and a Byron Buxton double scored him. 6-2 Twins.
The Tigers got a single from Colt Keith to lead off the bottom of the fourth. That was only their second hit of the game, and it went nowhere as the next three hitters went down in order.
Montero tossed a 1-2-3 fifth inning, and Carson Kelly led off the bottom half with a single. Gio Urshela grounded into a force of Kelly at second, and Báez grounded into a double play.
Joey Wentz took over in the sixth and quickly gave up a single to Brooks Lee with one out, and then a Vazquez two-run shot. That would about do it for this one.
Colt Keith singled for the second time with two outs in the sixth, but Mark Canha struck out. Pablo Lopez is good so this wasn’t terribly surprising but the at-bats were getting worse rather than better against him.
That finally changed in the bottom of the seventh, but it was even more frustrating that way. Matt Vierling led off with a sinking liner to center field that Byron Buxton couldn’t corral with a sliding attempt. The ball bounced away and Vierling hustled to second for a double. Bligh Madris promptly stroked a single to right field, and then Carson Kelly put up a good at-bat to draw a walk. Bases loaded, nobody out. This was the opportunity.
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli stuck with his ace and Gio Urshela grounded a ball to Carlos Santana at first. He fired home to get Vierling, but the bases were still loaded. And then Javier Báez and Wenceel Perez got a steady diet of high fastballs and they both popped out to strand everyone.
Ballgame.
Wentz pitched into the eighth, but with one out Brooks Lee singled and Wentz got ahead of Vazquez 0-2…and then walked him. Classic Joey. That brought the hook and inherited runner specialist—yes, I’m being sarcastic—Will Vest took over. Willi Castro flat out roasted a line drive out to center field, but right to Vierling. Vest got Buxton to ground out to Keith, and he was out of the inning.
Josh Staumont took over from Lopez in the bottom of the eighth, and Justyn-Henry Malloy was glad to see him gone after struggling with the right-handers sweeper and changeup in this one. It didn’t go any better for him with Staumont as he flew out to left field. Colt Keith grounded out to shortstop, while Mark Canha was hit by a pitch to bring up Vierling again. Staumont walked Vierling as well, and then Madris got a first pitch heater right down the middle and slapped a ground ball up the middle for an RBI single. That was all they’d get, as Kelly popped out to end the inning.
Will Vest got the first two outs in the top of the ninth and then came completely unglued. Max Kepler singled to center field and Vest wild pitched him to second. He then hit Carlos Santana—you must change your evil ways, Will Vest—and walked Matt Wallner to load the bases. Yeesh. Chris Fetter came out to try and get Vest’s head right, but instead the right-hander walked Brooks Lee to force in a run. Of course, it mattered little at this point so there was no thought of going to the pen. Vest pulled it together and struck out Vazquez to end the inning.
So it was last call for the Tigers.
Caleb Thielbar took over in the ninth and gave up a single to Urshela to start things off. Báez absolutely scorched a 110 mph line drive right to Manuel Margot in left, so hey, he’s making a lot of hard contact all of a sudden. Guess the back feels better. Andy Ibáñez pinch hit for Wenceel Perez against the lefty, but flew out, and Malloy took a called strike three on a perfect curveball down and away.
Tough game. The Tigers have a good chance to win on Saturday evening with Tarik Skubal on the mound, but the lineup has had plenty of trouble with RHP Joe Ryan in the past.
Bryce Rainer day at Comerica
Tigers first round pick, SS Bryce Rainer was introduced to the team, the fans, and the media on Friday night. He did a podcast with Jason Benetti and Dan Dickerson, watched BP, did interviews, took pictures, and got the full tour of Comerica Park. He also started the game off with the ceremonial first pitch.
The 19-year-old shortstop has a huge arm, good defensive skills, and a lot of juice from the left side of the plate for his age. Hopefully his development goes well. Look for him in the Florida State League shortly.
This day in history
On July 26, 1775 the United States Postal Service was established, with Benjamin Franklin as its first Postmaster General. It would certainly be interesting to know what Franklin would think about email, social media, and Amazon drop shipping.
In 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed a executive order ending segregation in the America armed forces.
Finally, on this day in 1529, Francisco Pizarro received a royal warrant from Queen Isabel of Spain, who did not consult on the matter with King Charles I, her husband, to conquer the created territory of Peru. This of course led to the downfall of Emperor Atahualpa, the genocidal conquest of Peru and the end of the Incan civilization.
There are also several notable July 26 birthdays starting with one Michael Phillip (Mick) Jagger in 1943—seriously how is Jagger still dancing and singing for hours at his age? Paul McCartney looks better, but the Jagger energy is unmatched.
The great director, Stanley Kubrick, was also born this day in 1928. You may have heard of him, or at least a slew of ground breaking films from 2001: A Space Odyssey, to the Shining, to Dr. Strangelove, Spartacus, and Full Metal Jacket. A true legend in the field.