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Dillon Dingler is a dude, part 8
Dillon Dingler is carrying a big stick as of late, which has translated to winning ways for the Tigers.
Detroit beat Chicago 4-1 at Comerica Park, and while the Tigers had to work around another slow start at the plate, the game eventually turned around because Dingler continued to look comfortable in a more aggressive lineup spot. Batting second again, Dingler went 2-for-4 with an RBI single in the fifth inning and a solo home run in the seventh, giving Detroit production from a spot in the order that has become more interesting as his June surge continues.
The White Sox grabbed the lead immediately when Sam Antonacci opened the game with a leadoff home run off Troy Melton. But Melton did not let the first batter define his outing.
After Antonacci’s homer, Melton settled into a strong rhythm. He worked through some traffic, including a second-inning walk and a fifth-inning sequence that included a walk after an ABS challenge overturned a called third strike, but he did not allow Chicago to extend the inning. Melton finished six innings with one run allowed, giving Detroit a second straight strong pitching performance and setting up the bullpen with a lead instead of another rescue mission.
The Tigers’ first real chance came in the fourth, when Kevin McGonigle, Matt Vierling and Spencer Torkelson all walked to load the bases. But Joe Rock came in and struck out Jahmai Jones to keep Chicago ahead 1-0. That missed opportunity could have dragged into the rest of the game, but Detroit came back with a cleaner rally in the fifth.
Zach McKinstry worked a two-out walk, McGonigle followed with a sharp single to center and Dingler delivered the swing that tied the game, lining a single to right field to score McKinstry. It was not a home run swing or a pull-side mistake punished into the seats. It was a controlled, direct swing in a spot where Detroit needed contact and a run.
That has been part of Dingler’s June profile. In the 15-game sample shown, Dingler hit .377 with a .403 on-base percentage, a .738 slugging percentage and a 1.141 OPS. He had 23 hits, five home runs, 17 RBI and 45 total bases in 67 plate appearances. Then, in this game, he added another two hits, another home run and two more RBI.
The Tigers took the lead in the sixth when Torkelson doubled, James Outman singled him home with help from a throwing error by Braden Montgomery and Jake Rogers added an RBI single to make it 3-1. That inning gave Detroit the breathing room it needed, but Dingler added the final punch in the seventh, driving a solo homer to center field off Trevor Richards for his 17th of the season.
For a catcher to be batting second, there has to be more than a hot hand involved. Dingler is not just getting moved up as a temporary spark. His at-bats have given the Tigers a different look near the top of the order because he can drive the ball, handle velocity and produce without needing a perfect count. The Tigers have spent large chunks of the season searching for dependable lineup balance. Dingler’s June has helped provide some of it.
The pitching made sure the lead held. Tyler Holton took over in the seventh and handled two scoreless innings. He worked around a Braden Montgomery double in the seventh, then got through the eighth with help from Riley Greene, McKinstry and Hao-Yu Lee on a force play after Antonacci singled. Kenley Jansen handled the ninth, working around a bunt single and a walk before Drew Romo lined out to James Outman in center to end it.
Dingler’s June is becoming more than a good stretch. It is starting to change how the Tigers can build their lineup. Make sure you vote for him for the All-Star Game.
Follow me on "X" @rogcastbaseball
Continue reading...
Dillon Dingler is carrying a big stick as of late, which has translated to winning ways for the Tigers.
Detroit beat Chicago 4-1 at Comerica Park, and while the Tigers had to work around another slow start at the plate, the game eventually turned around because Dingler continued to look comfortable in a more aggressive lineup spot. Batting second again, Dingler went 2-for-4 with an RBI single in the fifth inning and a solo home run in the seventh, giving Detroit production from a spot in the order that has become more interesting as his June surge continues.
The White Sox grabbed the lead immediately when Sam Antonacci opened the game with a leadoff home run off Troy Melton. But Melton did not let the first batter define his outing.
After Antonacci’s homer, Melton settled into a strong rhythm. He worked through some traffic, including a second-inning walk and a fifth-inning sequence that included a walk after an ABS challenge overturned a called third strike, but he did not allow Chicago to extend the inning. Melton finished six innings with one run allowed, giving Detroit a second straight strong pitching performance and setting up the bullpen with a lead instead of another rescue mission.
The Tigers’ first real chance came in the fourth, when Kevin McGonigle, Matt Vierling and Spencer Torkelson all walked to load the bases. But Joe Rock came in and struck out Jahmai Jones to keep Chicago ahead 1-0. That missed opportunity could have dragged into the rest of the game, but Detroit came back with a cleaner rally in the fifth.
Zach McKinstry worked a two-out walk, McGonigle followed with a sharp single to center and Dingler delivered the swing that tied the game, lining a single to right field to score McKinstry. It was not a home run swing or a pull-side mistake punished into the seats. It was a controlled, direct swing in a spot where Detroit needed contact and a run.
That has been part of Dingler’s June profile. In the 15-game sample shown, Dingler hit .377 with a .403 on-base percentage, a .738 slugging percentage and a 1.141 OPS. He had 23 hits, five home runs, 17 RBI and 45 total bases in 67 plate appearances. Then, in this game, he added another two hits, another home run and two more RBI.
The Tigers took the lead in the sixth when Torkelson doubled, James Outman singled him home with help from a throwing error by Braden Montgomery and Jake Rogers added an RBI single to make it 3-1. That inning gave Detroit the breathing room it needed, but Dingler added the final punch in the seventh, driving a solo homer to center field off Trevor Richards for his 17th of the season.
For a catcher to be batting second, there has to be more than a hot hand involved. Dingler is not just getting moved up as a temporary spark. His at-bats have given the Tigers a different look near the top of the order because he can drive the ball, handle velocity and produce without needing a perfect count. The Tigers have spent large chunks of the season searching for dependable lineup balance. Dingler’s June has helped provide some of it.
The pitching made sure the lead held. Tyler Holton took over in the seventh and handled two scoreless innings. He worked around a Braden Montgomery double in the seventh, then got through the eighth with help from Riley Greene, McKinstry and Hao-Yu Lee on a force play after Antonacci singled. Kenley Jansen handled the ninth, working around a bunt single and a walk before Drew Romo lined out to James Outman in center to end it.
Dingler’s June is becoming more than a good stretch. It is starting to change how the Tigers can build their lineup. Make sure you vote for him for the All-Star Game.
Follow me on "X" @rogcastbaseball
Continue reading...
