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Detroit Tigers' offense wakes up in 8th inning behind Dillon Dingler 3-run home run
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- Detroit Tigers' offense wakes up in 8th inning behind Dillon Dingler 3-run home run
ANAHEIM, CA. — You like clutch hitting?
Yes, the Tigers did that.
You like aggressive base running?
They did that, too.
You like grit and perseverance, and you want it all crammed together into one dramatic inning? Welcome to the eighth inning on May 1, as the Tigers scored five runs on their way to a 10-4 come-from-behind victory over the Los Angeles Angels .
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Let's set the scene: The Angeles took a 4-2 lead in the eighth inning, but the Tigers put two guys on with no outs; and then they refused to lose.
Andy Ibanez came up, facing lefty Reid Detmers . Ibanez had a tremendous at bat, working the count full before singling into center field, driving in Riley Greene . Then, it got even more interesting when Jo Adell , the center fielder, bobbled the ball and the Tigers didn't hesitate. They ran the bases hard, as they have done all season. That gave the Tigers guys on second and third, cranking up the pressure.
When Spencer Torkelson came up, the Angels brought the infield in. Torkelson grounded out to third for the first out. But then Zach McKinstry singled to center, driving in a run and tying it up, 4-4. McKinstry now has an 11-game hitting streak, matching a career high. After Adell threw the ball to the middle of the infield, McKinstry was able to advance to second. More great base running. More pressure cranked up.
That freed up Dillon Dingler to seal the win. All he had to do was lift a long fly ball to knock in a run, and he did it even better. He crushed a three-run homer.
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In the ninth inning, Ibanez added another RBI single, giving the Tigers even more breathing room. Then, Torkelson hit a two-run homer, turning it into a rout.
Javier Baez puts on a show
It's hard to say what was the most impressive thing Javier Baez did against Los Angeles .
The home run that Baez hit. Or the homer that he took away.
In the third inning, Báez homered to left field, turning on a 95 mph fastball. It was his second homer in as many days after he hit a grand slam April 30 in Houston .
But it was his defense that was jaw dropping. In the bottom of the fifth, Jorge Soler hit a long fly ball to deep center field. Baez seemed to glide across the outfield, getting to the warning track. Then, he slowed down, setting it up, looking like a veteran center fielder. Not a converted shortstop. He timed his jump perfectly, reaching over the yellow line and bringing back a homer, literally saving a run.
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It was athletic and amazing, really.
The guess here? The homer was impressive, but the play in center was even better. But the emergence of his bat should not be discounted. In the fourth inning, Baez flew out to the warning track in center field, another blast. Another great sign.
Casey Mize
Casey Mize gutted his way through seven innings, keeping the Tigers in this game.
He gave up a pair of homers, as Los Angeles took a 4-2 lead. Logan O'Hoppe homered to center in second inning and Jorge Soler hit a two-run homer in the third.
But Mize got out of trouble thanks to some fine defensive plays.
In the fourth inning, the Angels put two guys on. But he got out of it when the Tigers nearly pulled off a triple play. They got force outs at third and second, but it was too late at first base. Still it essentially ended the threat.
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Then, there was Baez, who brought back a homer. Mize looked so relieved he didn't react.
When he left the game, the Tigers were trailing 4-2 but they bounced back and Mize actually earned the win.
Where's Mike Trout ?
Angels right fielder Mike Trout did not start because a knee injury. Trout played April 30, in a 9-3 loss to the Seattle Mariners , but left the game because of knee soreness.
That was the same knee that Trout had two surgeries on last season. Los Angeles said that he is getting more evaluation on his knee. Trout, the three-time MVP, had played in all 29 games before the May 1 game against the Tigers.
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Welcome to the show, Tyler Owens
After the Tigers cut Kenta Maeda , they brought up Tyler Owens.
He made his debut in the ninth, holding a 10-4 lead. After getting a couple of groundouts, he gave up a single. But then Kyren Paris flew out to Baez to end the game.
Contact Jeff Seidel: jseidel@freepress.com . Follow him on X @seideljeff .
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers score: Tigers' offense wakes up in 8th against Angels
