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Keider Montero's start, wasted again.
There's a lot to unpack after today's loss against the White Sox but before we do, let's look at the stats that make this month end on a such a bitter note.
The Tigers bullpen failed to hold the 1-0 lead and the vibe the entire time was they were playing too tight. Dillon Dingler, the Tigers only power threat, got the much needed day off so the burden to get at least a win in the series fell on the young shoulders of Keider Montero.
Montero "shoved" today, going six innings, allowing just two hits, striking out four. He was getting a lot of weak contact, using his slider to both sides of the plate and Chicago had no answer. But Hinch pulled him after 65 pitches. Why? Manager A.J. Hinch explained
When Montero was asked after the game was he surprised by the decision by Hinch, the answer was simple. "Yes, I felt really good," Montero said. "It's his decision".
Pretty cut and dry but considering outside of Tarik Skubal, Montero over the last two seasons, is the only Tigers pitcher to throw a complete game, you know he had plenty left in the tank but it is what it is. The stats, which the Tigers rely on heavily, showed he was better the second time through the order this season in a small sample size.
As far as the offense went today, with the return of Kerry Carpenter to the lineup, Detroit scored in the 1st inning on a Spencer Torkelson double, driving in Kevin McGonigle and that was it.
Spencer Torkelson had two of Detroit’s four hits, including the RBI double, and Kerry Carpenter returned to the lineup with a single.
But once again, the Tigers could not do anything with runners in scoring position.
The Tigers went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position, left six on base and never found the extra hit to give Montero room to work. The sixth inning was their best chance, with McGonigle and Jahmai Jones both reaching on walks, but Riley Greene grounded into an inning-ending double play. In the seventh, Matt Vierling drew a leadoff walk, only to get picked off and caught stealing before Zach McKinstry walked later in the inning.
Carpenter’s return helps give the lineup another left-handed bat with power, but on Sunday, the offense still finished with four hits, eight strikeouts and one run in another winnable game. Montero gave Detroit six scoreless innings. The offense gave him one run. Against a White Sox team Detroit needed to beat, that was not enough. They now will head to Tampa to start a three game series against the Rays.
Tomorrow's starter will be more than likely Ty Madden being called up from Toledo, meaning a pitcher like Ricky Vanasco will be sent down. Tuesday, Jack Flaherty goes up against lefty Steven Matz at 6:40 then on Wednesday, Troy Melton takes on Nick Martinez in a 1:10pm start.
Follow me on "X" @rogcastbaseball
Continue reading...
There's a lot to unpack after today's loss against the White Sox but before we do, let's look at the stats that make this month end on a such a bitter note.
- Detroit scores just five runs in three games in Chicago.
- They have now lost 21 out of their last 25 games.
- They finish the month 6-22 (21% winning percentage), narrowing avoiding the 1996 Tiges, who stay the worst in 30 years at 4-23.
- The Tigers are now winless in their last nine road series (0-8-1) since winning their first series of the season at San Diego and it's the club's longest winless series stretch away from home since 2022.
The Tigers bullpen failed to hold the 1-0 lead and the vibe the entire time was they were playing too tight. Dillon Dingler, the Tigers only power threat, got the much needed day off so the burden to get at least a win in the series fell on the young shoulders of Keider Montero.
Montero "shoved" today, going six innings, allowing just two hits, striking out four. He was getting a lot of weak contact, using his slider to both sides of the plate and Chicago had no answer. But Hinch pulled him after 65 pitches. Why? Manager A.J. Hinch explained
When Montero was asked after the game was he surprised by the decision by Hinch, the answer was simple. "Yes, I felt really good," Montero said. "It's his decision".
Pretty cut and dry but considering outside of Tarik Skubal, Montero over the last two seasons, is the only Tigers pitcher to throw a complete game, you know he had plenty left in the tank but it is what it is. The stats, which the Tigers rely on heavily, showed he was better the second time through the order this season in a small sample size.
As far as the offense went today, with the return of Kerry Carpenter to the lineup, Detroit scored in the 1st inning on a Spencer Torkelson double, driving in Kevin McGonigle and that was it.
Spencer Torkelson had two of Detroit’s four hits, including the RBI double, and Kerry Carpenter returned to the lineup with a single.
But once again, the Tigers could not do anything with runners in scoring position.
The Tigers went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position, left six on base and never found the extra hit to give Montero room to work. The sixth inning was their best chance, with McGonigle and Jahmai Jones both reaching on walks, but Riley Greene grounded into an inning-ending double play. In the seventh, Matt Vierling drew a leadoff walk, only to get picked off and caught stealing before Zach McKinstry walked later in the inning.
Carpenter’s return helps give the lineup another left-handed bat with power, but on Sunday, the offense still finished with four hits, eight strikeouts and one run in another winnable game. Montero gave Detroit six scoreless innings. The offense gave him one run. Against a White Sox team Detroit needed to beat, that was not enough. They now will head to Tampa to start a three game series against the Rays.
Tomorrow's starter will be more than likely Ty Madden being called up from Toledo, meaning a pitcher like Ricky Vanasco will be sent down. Tuesday, Jack Flaherty goes up against lefty Steven Matz at 6:40 then on Wednesday, Troy Melton takes on Nick Martinez in a 1:10pm start.
Follow me on "X" @rogcastbaseball
Continue reading...
