The News’ Andrew Graham gives his quick takes on the Tigers’ 6-1 victory over the Athletics on Wednesday:
One thing I loved
Welcome to what is going to be a catcher-centric version of this column, and we’ll begin with Jake Rogers having a great night coming off the bench for Dillon Dingler.
Rogers has shifted to backup duties largely as Dingler has emerged as one of the best catchers in baseball. He’s a key piece of the roster and has been during AJ Hinch’s tenure as manager, but hasn’t had as much opportunity to produce on the field. Rogers didn’t waste his opportunities on Wednesday evening.
In his first at-bat, he clobbered a two-run home run that busted the game open for Detroit, putting the Tigers up, 3-0, at that point. He went from first to third on a single in the bottom of the fifth after his own base hit, then scored as Spencer Torkelson crushed a three-run home run.
He’s the first Tigers’ catcher in 40 years to come off the bench and record two hits and two runs.
Rogers didn’t begin Wednesday in the lineup, but he found himself there unexpectedly and delivered in a big way for Detroit.
And though he might be the platonic ideal of a backup catcher — the mature but fun-loving glue guy — Rogers reminded us on Wednesday evening that he can be more than that, too. Detroit might need it (see below.)
One thing I didn’t
Dillon Dingler left the game early after taking a deflected 95 MPH sinker off his right throwing hand. He finished that inning defensively after a few practice throws, but left the game as Rogers stepped in to bat for Dingler.
Dingler, recently announced as an All-Star selection, presumably went to get X-rays done and go through other medical checks. But it’s a grim scene to see another Tiger injured, especially one who has been excellent this season.
Through Tuesday’s game, Dingler was batting .262 with 60 RBI and 19 home runs, plus 19 more doubles. And his offensive uptick in 2026 has come to match his excellent-if-not-elite defense behind the plate. He’s also masterful at ABS challenges.
Losing Dingler for any amount of time would be another blow to the lineup (the luck on this team …) and potentially cost him an All-Star appearance, which would be especially disappointing.
Even if Rogers can be an apt fill in for Dingler, seeing Detroit’s All Star catcher befallen by such an injury is the latest in a parade of health misfortunes for the Tigers in 2026.
Three stars
(Season total in parentheses)
Jake Rogers (5)
Spencer Torkelson (14)
Riley Greene (22)
Player of the game
(Season total in parentheses)
Troy Melton (4) — he’s been a revelation for a Tigers rotation that needed one; career-high nine Ks on Wednesday.
Next Tigers game
Game 93: Athletics at Tigers, 6:40 Thursday, Detroit SportsNet, 97.1
ICYMI: Tuesday’s Tigers recap
Andrew Graham is a freelance writer.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Detroit Tigers, Game 92: 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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By Andrew Graham, Special to The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
