DETROIT -- The Tigers under manager A.J. Hinch have built a culture around battling until the 27th out. On Wednesday, the 27th out came so quickly that it was almost startling.
The 3-0 loss to the Rays lasted two hours and two minutes, tying Detroit’s quickest game of the season. Hinch’s postgame media session lasted just over two minutes, not because he was trying to keep the pace but because there wasn’t much to say.
“We had two baserunners the whole day,” Hinch said. “So, I mean, that’s not a lot to talk about.”
The Tigers were held to two singles, both off Freddy Peralta in his best start with the Rays. Detroit did not record a hit with runners in scoring position because it did not advance a runner into scoring position. The Tigers did not hit a ball with a triple-digit exit velocity; their hardest-hit ball was Hao-Yu Lee’s 98.3 mph fly out to lead off the ninth, one of 10 consecutive outs recorded by Rays pitchers to close out the game.
“[Peralta] clearly got through our lineup aggressively and with little to no traffic,” Hinch said. “He bullied us with some fastballs. His changeup was really good. … I don’t think he pitched a ton differently than we expected. I just think he beat us to the spot in some hitters’ counts.”
By contrast, Rays batters hit nine balls at 101 mph or harder, eight of them off starter Troy Melton, who did well to toss seven quality innings.
The Rays took two of three in the series while holding the Tigers to five runs, four of them in Tuesday’s win. It was a stark contrast to the series between these same clubs in early June at Tropicana Field, where Detroit scored 25 runs in a three-game sweep that ignited a midseason resurgence. The Tigers scored more runs in each of those games than they did in this week’s series.
But this is a different offense than the Detroit nine that rolled through St. Petersburg. The Tigers have been held to four runs or fewer in seven of their last eight games, winning only one. It couldn’t have come at a much worse time, but it also isn’t necessarily a surprise given some of the factors behind it:
1. Injuries to key sluggers
The Tigers lost more than a cleanup hitter when Riley Greene went on the injured list two weeks ago with a right hamstring strain. They lost an imposing presence in their lineup that opponents game-planned to not let beat them. He pounded the Rays in June, going 6-for-12 with two homers and four RBIs.
Add in Kerry Carpenter’s absence with left foot plantar fasciitis – Carpenter was 4-for-9 against the Rays in June – and the Tigers’ primary left-handed-hitting threats this series were Kevin McGonigle and Colt Keith. Max Clark hit Tuesday’s go-ahead two-run homer, but McGonigle’s double Monday was the only other extra-base hit from a left-handed hitter this series.
Greene seems to be progressing toward a rehab assignment and a timely return. He’s itching to get back with enough time to make an impact. So are the Tigers.
2. Dingler’s slump
Dillon Dingler’s four-hit, two-homer game at The Trop on June 1 started a two-month tear that earned the catcher an All-Star selection and established him among the best all-around catchers in the American League. That form has vanished over the last few weeks. Though he hit one of Detroit’s two singles Wednesday, he’s 7-for-66 with 16 strikeouts over 17 games since his last home run on Aug. 6.
Dingler hasn’t been hitting fastballs the same as in previous months, according to Statcast, but he also struggled mightily against breaking balls. The Tigers can’t afford to give him much of a break because of their tenuous footing in the playoff race. They have to hope his current four-game hitting streak, albeit all singles, is an early sign of recovery.
3. Youth in key spots
The Tigers have leaned on prospects all season, ever since McGonigle made the Opening Day roster, but especially with recent injuries. Brett Callahan – who began the year with his first promotion to Double-A Erie – not only has become a regular player in the outfield with Greene out, but has batted fifth in two games, including Tuesday, and hit leadoff Wednesday. Lee batted second in four of five games before hitting ninth Wednesday. Clark continues to hit toward the bottom of the lineup but plays regularly against lefties.
That youth can provide a jolt of energy in wins like Tuesday. It can also exacerbate struggles in games like Wednesday against a pitcher like Peralta.
“I think we’re getting something out of this stretch of games where our guys are getting a ton of experience,” Hinch said. “There are a lot of things that we are accomplishing behind the scenes that I think will help us down the stretch but also moving forward.”