A turn of the page on the calendar has transformed the Detroit Tigers into an offensive juggernaut.
Punchless in the month of May when the team won just six games, Detroit’s offense erupted for 25 runs during a three-game road sweep this week against American League-best Tampa Bay.
The Tigers will try to keep piling up the runs during a six-game homestand, which begins against Seattle on Friday. This will be the first time the clubs have faced each other since the Mariners eliminated the Tigers during last year’s AL Division Series.
Detroit slugged 10 homers during its series against the Rays, led by catcher Dillon Dingler. He blasted three homers, including a three-run shot in Wednesday’s 7-2 victory that completed the sweep. Dingler drove in nine runs during those three games and leads the team with 14 homers and 43 RBIs.
Dingler served as the designated hitter while backup Jake Rogers hit his first homer of the season.
“It was just the quality of the at-bats,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “Even if we didn’t get the result, the quality of at-bats kept putting pressure on the other side. Multiple guys had really good days. And, yes, the big swings by Ding and Jake will get the headlines. But to piece the at-bats together like we did creates a team offense.”
The return of Gleyber Torres and Kerry Carpenter from the injured list gave the lineup a jolt. Torres homered in his return on Tuesday and supplied three hits and scored three times on Wednesday. Carpenter contributed four hits in nine at-bats, including a homer.
“We had a great series against a really good team in a place that’s tough to play in,” Hinch said. “We did flip the calendar month and played three of our best games in a while. These weren’t the only three games we played well this year. I know sometimes you can get dragged down by a tough stretch.”
Left-hander Framber Valdez will start the series opener against the Mariners.
In his last outing, Valdez (2-4, 4.39 ERA) was charged with four runs in 6 2/3 innings against the Chicago White Sox on Saturday. Valdez is 7-4 with a 3.50 ERA in 19 career outings (17 starts) versus Seattle.
The Mariners will counter with right-hander Bryan Woo (5-3, 3.44), who is coming off a seven-inning gem against Arizona on Saturday. He allowed just two hits without a walk while striking out nine. It was the fourth time this season Woo pitched at least six innings without giving up a run.
Woo threw 59 fastballs among 86 pitches.
“I was just sticking with my plan. When it comes down to it, that’s what I always want to do: stick to my strengths and what I’m doing,” he said. “If it ends up that we start a game and it’s not working out, I’ll make my adjustments. But for the most part, just going out there with my Plan A. If we need to make adjustments, then we will. But until then, keep doing what I’m doing.”
Woo has started twice against Detroit during his career, posting a 1.98 ERA without a decision.
Seattle had an eight-game winning streak snapped by the New York Mets on Wednesday. The Mariners have won their last three series.
–Field Level Media
