BALTIMORE – The Detroit Tigers’ losing streak is over.
Right-hander Troy Melton shoved into the sixth inning in his first start of the season after returning from the injured list, catcher Dillon Dingler golfed a two-run home run in the first, and third baseman Kevin McGonigle delivered a two-run single with the bases loaded and two outs in a full count in the fifth.
Just like that, the Tigers secured a 4-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday, May 24, in Game 2 of a doubleheader at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, snapping an eight-game losing streak.
It marked the Tigers’ first win in nine days.
The Tigers (21-33) dropped two of three to the Orioles (23-30) in the series, but they’re back in the win column ahead of a three-game series against the MLB-worst Los Angeles Angels at Comerica Park, beginning Tuesday (6:40 p.m., Detroit SportsNet).
In Game 2 of Sunday’s doubleheader, the Tigers got exactly what they’ve been missing – a big swing and a timely hit – during the majority of of their 19-game stretch of bad baseball, featuring 16 losses.
For that, Dingler and McGonigle deserve the credit.
A leadoff single from Matt Vierling put the Tigers in a position of strength against left-hander Trevor Rogers, then Dingler capitalized with a two-run home run.
Dingler received a cutter from Rogers at the bottom of the strike zone.
He golfed it over the left-field wall.
The two-run home run put the Tigers ahead, 2-0.
Several Tigers hitters have struggled this season, but Dingler is hitting .233 with 10 home runs and a .778 OPS in 48 games, though he has just a .213 batting average in 21 games in May.
The Tigers built upon their lead in the fifth inning.
McGonigle stepped to the plate against Rogers with the bases loaded and two outs, following Spencer Torkelson’s walk, Wenceel Pérez’s single and Zack Short’s walk – along with Hao-Yu Lee’s flyout and Matt Vierling’s pop out.
It all came down to McGonigle.
The 21-year-old rookie battled for seven pitches, hitting Rogers’ down-and-away changeup into center field for a two-run single – putting the Tigers ahead, 4-1.
The clutch hit from McGonigle chased Rogers, who allowed four runs on four hits and two walks with two strikeouts across 4⅔ innings, in 90 pitches. The 28-year-old has a 6.96 ERA in nine starts, just one season removed from registering a 1.81 ERA in 18 starts.
Not only did McGonigle drive in runs with his bat, but he also saved a couple of runs with his glove.
In the second inning, McGonigle caught a line drive from Blaze Alexander (hit with a 105.7 mph exit velocity) with runners on first and second base. Had the ball gotten past him, one run would’ve scored – and another run could’ve, as well.
With run support, Melton picked up his end of the bargain in his return from right elbow inflammation. The 25-year-old allowed one run on two hits and three walks with three strikeouts across 5⅔ innings, throwing 79 pitches.
His biggest moment occurred in the sixth inning, when he struck out Gunnar Henderson with a nasty slider – helping him put a cap on his strong performance.
Henderson finished 0-for-3 with two strikeouts against Melton.
Although Henderson won American League Rookie of the Year in 2023 and has established himself as one of the best shortstops, he was no match for Melton.
Melton also stranded a runner at second base in the fourth inning after the Orioles scored their lone run for a 2-1 deficit on Samuel Basallo’s sacrifice fly, immediately following Adley Rutschman’s walk and Pete Alonso’s single.
After Melton, left-handed reliever Tyler Holton took down 1⅓ scoreless innings before right-handed reliever Drew Anderson completed two scoreless innings to pick up his second career save (both recorded this season with the Tigers).
Anderson has a 3.78 ERA over 33⅔ innings.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dillon Dingler, Troy Melton carry Tigers in Game 2 win to end skid
Reporting by Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
