MINNEAPOLIS – Here’s the crazy part of the Detroit Tigers’ ugly, miserable,painful 15-2 loss at Target Fieldto the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday, Sept. 1.
The Tigers didn’t lose because they have shifted into a youth movement.
This didn’t lose because of all their rookies, who have spread across the clubhouse. No, it was the veterans who let them down.
It was veteran reliever Kyle Finnegan, who recorded just one out while giving up five runs.
It was Troy Melton, who gave up seven runs, including five earned. OK, so Melton isn’t exactly a grizzled veteran but he’s pitched in huge games. He isn’t a newcomer.
And it was Gold Glove catcher Dillon Dingler, who had a critical throwing error that flipped this game.
“My perspective was that you know (Dingler)
got him running back, and then was in between steps when he threw it,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “And it was high from the get-go. So you know he's running with all the gear and mask still on, and with no play at the plate, he's trying to get him back towards third, and just didn't execute the throw.”
Just didn’t execute.
That was the mantra of this night, as the Tigers lost for the 14th time in their last 17 games.
“We didn't execute on the mound,” Hinch said, of his team that has been outscored 26-3 in two losses against the Twins. “We made a tough play when we had an easy out on the rundown, and they exploded against both Melton and Finnegan. So we've got to keep working. I mean, it's a pretty low feeling just because we're not in a good place right now, and we're not executing the way that we're accustomed to.”
Don't blame this on the rookies
So what is my takeaway from this forgettable, painful, miserable excuse for a game?
On this day, it was the youngsters who did some fine things, in the midst of so much ugliness. Of the Tigers’ eight hits, five of them came from rookies. “We didn't lose because we're a young team,” Hinch said. “We had some young players do a really good job tonight.”
Let’s start with John Peck, who got his first start at shortstop and looked like he belonged. Considering he was dealing with the natural nerves, he made some outstanding plays. Just like he did during spring training.
“Definitely felt the nerves for the first couple innings for sure, but kind of settled in after the first play,” Peck said. “It was more comfortable for sure.”
He faced some critical moments, like playing shortstop with the infield pulled in and he handled a couple of pressure grounders with ease.
“Moments like that, you kind of kind of black out,” Peck said. “And just let the instincts take over.”
He didn’t get a hit, but he did get on base by an error. And he crushed a ball that looked like it had homer potential but it was caught.
“He made some nice plays defensively,” Hinch said. “He took some good swings and he didn't get anything to show for it.”
Peck will start at shortstop again on Wednesday as the Tigers try to avoid the sweep.
“The defensive plays he made, he had a couple tricky hops that he made look easy,” Hinch said. “He did make the two plays with the infield in, which again is just high pressure to try to have to make, one chance to field the ball. So that was encouraging, and I think he's going to be glad to have this first game out of the way.”
Things I saw in the midst of ugly
But there were so many other interesting moments from the youngsters.
Like Hao-Yu Lee, the Tigers' rookie infielder. At the end of a pathetic game, Lee was still battling. Refusing to give up an at-bat and getting an RBI double in the eighth inning. And ya gotta love that about him. His fierce determination.
But that’s not all.
Brett Callahan and Ben Malgeri, two rookies who came in off the bench, both went 1-for-2.
Then, I saw something interesting from Max Clark, the rookie center fielder.
In the second inning, after Spencer Torkelson got to second on a ground rule double, Clark squared for a bunt. But he was beaned in the head by a 95 mph sinker.
Still, it didn’t freak him out.
In the fourth inning, Clark bunted again and reached base safely.
And I loved it.
He is so fast that it’s an incredible weapon for him. And it’s gonna force opposing teams to adjust to him.
So, that’s what I’ll remember from this night: Peck handling the nerves and playing fine defense in his debut, and Lee battling and coming up with another hard-hit ball, and rookies coming off the bench and contributing, and Clark finding a way to use his speed.
That was the only good part of this ugly, pathetic loss.
An encouraging glimpse into the future, emerging through the ugliness.
Contact Jeff Seidel: jseidel@freepress.com. Follow him on X @seideljeff
Next up: Twins
Matchup: Tigers (63-75 entering Wednesday's game) at Minnesota (67-72).
First pitch: 7:15 p.m. Sept. 4; Progressive Field, Cleveland.
TV/radio: Apple TV; WXYT-FM (97.1).
Probable pitchers: Tigers — TBD; Twins — TBD.
More online: Wednesday's game against the Twins ended too late for this edition. Visit freep.com/sports/tigers for comprehensive coverage.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tigers get encouraging glimpse into the future in ugly, pathetic loss
