​Detroit — It’s been an emotional week for the Tigers. On Tuesday, the club and influential third-base coach Joey Cora abruptly and mutually parted ways. Before Wednesday’s game, Hall of Fame-bound Justin Verlander announced that this season would be his last. While not wholly surprising for the 43-year-old future Hall of Famer, the news still gave the organization, his teammates, and the fan base plenty to absorb and process. Then, in the second inning, All-Star catcher Dillon Dingler had to leave after a pitch from starter Troy Melton caromed off his glove and struck his right hand. Yet, between the lines, the mood remained businesslike and focused.
The Tigers pressed forward with their mid-summer surge, defeating the Athletics 6-1 at Comerica Park for their fourth straight win, their fourth consecutive series victory, and their seventh win in eight games. Since June 1, they’ve climbed to 20-12. “I don’t know if guys are playing with a sense of urgency,” Verlander said. “I don’t think that’s the right way to put it. Guys are clicking. Guys are healthy. Our rotation is doing what they’re supposed to do, feeding off one another and giving us a chance to win night in and night out.”
That was clearly the case on Wednesday. Right-hander Troy Melton picked up where Tarik Skubal left off Tuesday, fanning a career-best nine over 5.1 innings while allowing one unearned run and lowering his ERA to 1.82. Tigers starters have held opponents to four runs or fewer in 38 of the last 39 games. Melton dominated early with a wicked cutter, throwing it at 94 mph and using it for four of his nine strikeouts. In the fifth, he struck out the side—Henry Bolte, Zack Gelof, and Jeff McNeil, after a 12-pitch battle, on 98-mph heat.
Melton remained in control even after an early catcher change in the second inning. He opened the frame with a 95-mph sinker to Jacob Wilson that clipped Dingler’s glove, directing the ball to his right hand. Dingler winced in pain, and manager AJ Hinch, along with trainer Ryne Eubanks, came out to check on him. After a few throwing drills, Dingler finished the inning. When it came time for his turn to bat in the bottom of the frame, Hinch sent Jake Rogers to pinch-hit, and Rogers delivered with a two-run homer to left to push the Tigers ahead 3-1.
There was no immediate update on the specifics of the Dingler injury. Rogers and Kevin McGonigle provided a double-hit spark with one out in the second, setting the stage for Spencer Torkelson, who ripped a hanging slider from lefty Jeffrey Springs into the left-field seats for his 15th homer. McGonigle, for the 54th time, reached base safely at least twice, extending his MLB rookie record before the All-Star break. The Tigers, now 42-50 on the season, scored six runs for the third consecutive game.