Melton steps up with 7 scoreless IP as Tigers score in every frame to rout O's

DETROIT -- A day before Tarik Skubal makes what could be his final start as a Tiger, Troy Melton continued to show the potential to step into the front of the Tigers’ rotation, tossing seven scoreless innings with five strikeouts to ride an early wave of Detroit offense to a 14-0 win over the Orioles on Tuesday night at Comerica Park.

The Tigers became the second team since 1900 to score in every inning they batted and not allow a run in that game, joining the Pirates (Sept. 6, 1935 vs. the Brooklyn Dodgers), per Elias Sports Bureau.

Melton (6-1), who bounced between the Tigers’ rotation and bullpen last year following his midseason debut, has posted a 1.75 ERA in 11 starts since returning from Spring Training elbow inflammation on May 24. Only Milwaukee's Jacob Misiorowski (1.29) and Washington's Foster Griffin (1.72) entered Tuesday with a lower ERA among Major League starters in that span. Melton also ranked in the top 10 in lowest WHIP, OPS and batting average allowed.

Melton was as stingy as ever against an Orioles lineup that slugged early and never let up against Keider Montero and Detroit’s bullpen the previous night. The 25-year-old right-hander held the O’s to three singles and two walks and didn’t allow anyone to reach scoring position.

The formula was simple: Melton got ahead (16 first-pitch strikes in 24 batters) and stayed there (just five three-ball counts). It was a major improvement after back-to-back four-walk outings over his previous two starts, and it kept the O’s at bay. While his four-seam fastball was good for eight of his 16 called strikes, he played his cutter off of that for four of his 11 swinging strikes. His splitter, slider and curveball all landed him strikes as well.

Not bad for a former fourth-round Draft pick in 2022. Melton has the chance to team with Jackson Jobe, currently on a rehab assignment and on track to return at some point next month, and Montero to form a foundation for Detroit’s rotation should Skubal and Casey Mize be traded at Monday’s 6 p.m. ET Deadline or leave via free agency in the fall. Reese Olson is also expected to return next year. If the Tigers acquire additional young pitching in trades, there’s the makings of a solid starting group.

Melton had the benefit of ample run support Tuesday; the Tigers scored in all eight innings at bat for the third time in franchise history, including eight runs in four innings off O’s starter Dean Kremer. Kevin McGonigle went 4-for-5 with four runs scored. Gleyber Torres doubled home two runs in the second inning and added a two-run homer in the fourth.

Eduardo Valencia, starting at catcher after veteran backup Jake Rogers was designated for assignment, hit his third and fourth home runs of his brief big league time, including a two-run drive off Orioles catcher turned pitcher Chadwick Tromp in a 4-for-5 performance.