The News’ Andrew Graham gives his quick takes on the Tigers’ 8-3 victory over the Reds on Sunday:
One thing I loved
Spencer Torkelson has started to hit the ball some — well, a lot, actually. After scuffling through the first three weeks of the season, he hit two home runs in two days against the Brewers, including a walk off, and has had a strong series in Cincinnati and hit home runs in five straight games, tying the Tigers franchise record.
Torkelson against Cincinnati had two doubles, three home runs, four runs scored and a trio of RBI in three games.
A former No. 1 overall pick, Torkelson hasn’t evolved into a final form of dominant hitting the Tigers hope he can be. In fact, he’s had more struggles than dominant stretches so far in his career.
Torkelson becoming a consistent, dangerous hitter in the middle of the lineup could change things for Detroit. He’s not there yet, but weekends like these are a good reminder of the reason he was so coveted as a prospect.
His homer after Hao-Yu Lee put the Tigers on top, 4-3, with his first career home run, was icing on the cake for the weekend.
One thing I didn’t
It’s probably safe to imagine I’m speaking for the Tigers’ staff when I say: Not fun to watch outfielders turn, stop their feet, and watch as a hitter rounds the bases for a home run. And Detroit can’t seem to stop giving them up in Cincinnati this weekend.
With a pair of solo shots against Cincinnati on Sunday, the Reds made it 10 total long balls off Tigers pitching in less than 27 innings. And those 10 home runs have produced 15 runs for the Reds.
Detroit’s given up solo shots, multi-run home runs and even got walked off in a rain-soaked Friday night funhouse (if one is a Reds fan). Detroit’s hit a fair share of home runs this series, but the Reds just keep destroying the baseball.
After a 2-0 lead on Sunday, the Reds hit a pair of solo home runs to tie the game, 2-2, against Keider Montero.
Nathaniel Lowe and Matt McLain have been the prime customers for the longball. McClain was particularly struggling to hit until this weekend until he hit a pair on Friday. Lowe had four in the series.
J.J. Bleday’s blast off Montero on Sunday, in particular, is the frustrating kind, turning around a 95 mile per hour fastball at the top of the zone.
Three stars
Gleyber Torres (5)
Spencer Torkelson (5)
Kerry Carpenter (3)
Player of the game
Hao-Yu Lee — a clutch go-ahead homer for your first career long ball is a fine way to do it.
Player of the series
Spencer Torkelson (2)
Tigers’ uniform tracker
Traditional home whites: 9-2
Alternate home oranges: 1-0
Traditional road grays: 4-8
Alternate road blues: 1-4
Next Tigers game
Game 30: Tigers at Braves, 7:15 Tuesday, Detroit SportsNet, 97.1
ICYMI: Yesterday’s Tigers recap
Andrew Graham is a freelance writer.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Detroit Tigers, Game 29: One thing I loved, one thing I didn’t
Reporting by Andrew Graham, Special to The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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