By George Eichorn
@Sandgsports99
They called it a Summer Bash Weekend at Comerica Park. Unfortunately for Tigers fans most of the bashing was done by the visiting Toronto Blue Jays.
Bolstered by a large number of Toronto fans, more than 86,000 paid their way into the downtown ballpark June 10-13. The highlight of the weekend was last Sunday’s pre-game ceremony honoring future Hall of Famer, Miguel Cabrera.
The Tigers could only muster 5 runs and 15 hits in the three-game series, losing 10-1, winning 3-1 and losing 3-1 at home. This was a sample of the frustrations experienced by the club and its fans in the 2022 season – a lack of offense despite decent pitching in a majority of the losses. The club stands 24-35 (.407) and is 9 ½ games behind first-place Minnesota in the AL Central Division. Detroit is four games ahead of last place Kansas City.
In the Saturday win the Tigers played a near flawless game – getting timely hits to back up rookie starter Beau Brieske, who earned his first Major League win and is now 1-5 with a 4.34 ERA, with a solid defense behind him plus some timely hitting.
Outfielder Victor Reyes returned from the injury list to go 3-for-4 with a run scored and one RBI. Catcher Eric Haase contributed a triple, double, a run scored and one RBI. Shortstop Javier Baez reached base four times on a hit and three walks. The downer was Detroit’s second through fourth hitters – Jonathan Schoop, Austin Meadows and Miguel Cabrera – a combined 0-for-11.
The Tigers have so many not hitting as expected. The high expectations in the abbreviated spring training – endorsed by club management – have been shattered by weak hitting, an often spotty defense and a boatful of injured players. Home run production and runs scored is last in MLB and team batting average (.218) is third-worst.
Guys you expected to hit – Schoop, Baez, Haase, Jeimer Candelario, Robbie Grossman, Akil Baddoo, and Tucker Barnhart – are off to terrible starts. The Tigers offense just cannot get untracked.
On the pitching side, you have a starting rotation that has seen all but one pitcher felled by injury. Tarik Skubal, despite losing 6-0 last Sunday, leads the team with a 5-3 record and 2.91 ERA in 12 starts. Fill-ins Alex Faedo (1-2, 2.92 ERA) and Beau Brieske (1-5 & 4.34 ERA) are doing well enough. Newcomer Elvin Rodriguez (11.51 ERA) was sent to AAA Toledo following his 10-1 loss last Friday to the Blue Jays.
The club’s injury report has included starting pitchers Tyler Alexander, Spencer Turnbull, Eduardo Rodriguez, Casey Mize, Michael Pineada and Matt Manning, relievers Jose Cisnero, Joey Wentz, Kyle Funkhouser and Franklin Perez. Position players injured are catcher Jake Rogers, outfielders Baddoo, Grossman, Reyes, Daz Cameron, rookie Riley Greene and third baseman Candelario.
Fans are patient in Detroit but this season really tests one’s stamina. Followers of the team were led to believe they could make a run in the division or contend for a wild-card spot. That is looking less and less likely as the season marches on.
Blame must be shared at all levels for this bad start – including owner Chris Ilitch, GM Al Avila, Manager AJ Hinch and the players – and accountability will prevail one would hope when October comes around.
The ceremony Sunday honoring Cabrera on his 3,000th hit was very well done. The surprise visit by former teammate Victor Martinez was kept a secret. Alex Avila and Austin Jackson were among past teammates on hand. And Miggy’s daughter Brisel narrated a moving video played on Comerica Park’s left field video board.
Nostalgia reigned last Saturday also as 1968 champion Jon Warden; 1984 champions Lance Parrish, Dan Petry and Dave Rozema; 2006 AL champions Jim Leyland, Brandon Inge, Craig Monroe and Nate Robertson; 2012 AL champions Leyland, Jackson, Alex Avila, Andy Dirks and Doug Fister; 2014 Central champion Rajai Davis, 1987 East champion Frank Tanana and 2015-2018 pitcher Alex Wilson joined current Tigers to sign autographs.
