The Detroit Tigers took one step forward early Tuesday afternoon, snapping their six-game losing streak and actually scored a run for the first time in 28 innings — woo-hoo!
Then, they took a step back a few hours later when their bats went silent once again. In the end, they split a doubleheader against the Oakland Athletics.
But Tigers manager A.J. Hinch stressed the positives, which was certainly understandable. “We need it to be encouraging,” Hinch said. “We’re gonna make it encouraging.”
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One step forward: Everything the Tigers seemed to hit in Game 1 found a hole. Pop ups fell between the A’s. Oakland forgot to do the little things, like field a bunt. Tarik Skubal was incredible and the Tigers rolled to a 6-0 win in Game 1.
One step back: The Tigers were confused by a rookie pitcher making his MLB debut and the Tigers couldn’t get anything to fall in a 4-1 loss in Game 2. Ugh. This felt like that 28-inning scoreless streak all over again.
One step forward: With the bases loaded in Game 1, the Tigers got the big hit. Jeimer Candelario delivered it, driving in all three runs.
“Candy’s hit probably felt like the biggest hit of the year because it allowed us to exhale a little bit,” Hinch said.
One step back: With bases loaded in the ninth in Game 2, the Tigers didn’t get that big hit. Austin Meadows represented the game-winning run, but he popped out to the shortstop to end the game.
One step forward: The Tigers played outstanding defense in Game 1.
One step backward: Catcher Eric Haase was unable to shut down the A’s running game. Stolen bases lead to two of the A’s runs. And an Alex Lange wild pitch set up a third run. Those three runs were basically the difference in the game.
“We gave away too many bases,” Hinch said. “Then, all of a sudden, they get a free pass to third. They play fundamental baseball and score without really doing a ton.”
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One step forward: Jonathan Schoop seemed to snap out of his funk and homered in the first game. Miguel Cabrera followed behind him in the dugout and hugged him like a little kid.
“The batter’s box is telling us that he’s doing a lot of a lot better,” Hinch said. “He had some bad luck in Houston at the very end of that series, hitting some balls pretty hard at guys. That’s usually a sign of things to come. Then he comes home and put some pretty good swings together today.”
One step backward: Spencer Torkelson continues to struggle and is showing how the building pressure. After popping out in the fifth inning of the second game with a guy on first, Torkelson slammed his bat to the ground, shattering it in pieces. In his last 11 games, Torkelson is 2-for-35 with 15 strikeouts. Torkelson has a history of struggling whenever he moves up to a higher level. Then, he seems to figure it out.
So in many ways, there is nothing surprising about this. But it begs the question: With the Tigers struggling offensively, do they have the luxury to wait for him to figure it out or should they send him down to Toledo to catch his breath, clear his head and get a fresh start? Countless rookies end up needing more seasoning.
That is not a criticism of his talent, just an observation. An interesting tidbit: Kody Clemens started at first base Tuesday in Toledo. Might Clemens move up, if he continues to hit and Torkelson struggles?
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One step forward: The Tigers were loose in Game 1. Suddenly, it was the other team making mistakes. Running into each other. Running into the railing. Forgetting to cover a bunt. Not catching a routine fly ball.
One step backward: The Tigers seemed to tighten up again in Game 2, squeezing their bats into sawdust.
One step forward: When the Tigers seemed to be scoring at will in Game 1, you almost want to say: Save it for the next game!
One step back: The A’s were starting Adrian Martinez, a 25-year-old making his first career appearance. Martinez carried some ugly stats into the game. Through five starts at Triple-A, he had a a 7.45 ERA and 1.62 WHIP. Not exactly imposing. But Martinez blanked the Tigers through 5⅓ innings, giving up just four hits while recording three strikeouts.
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One step forward: Man, you can’t say enough about the Tigers pitching. They just keep rolling young guys out there and they perform.
One step backward: The second game felt so familiar. The malaise was back. Javier Bàez was swinging out of his shoes and missing badly. Candelario crushed a ball in the eighth inning and A’s second baseman Tony Kemp made a ridiculous diving catch, robbing a base hit and ending the inning. It was that kind of game again.
So where does that leave us?
After a day of baseball, the Tigers had an encouraging win.
And a familiar loss.
One step forward. One back.
Encouragement mixed with frustration.
But still, it’s better than string of zeroes.
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Contact Jeff Seidel: jseidel@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @seideljeff.