Tigers, returning to health, chase road sweep of Rays

Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch felt his team would add some punch with some healthy additions creating a more potent lineup.

He was right so far.

Riding their first two-game winning streak in a month, the Tigers will try to sweep the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday afternoon when the teams meet in the finale of a three-game series in St. Petersburg, Fla.

The Tigers have slugged their way to 18 runs, eight home runs, 15 extra-base hits and 24 hits in the two victories.

Power-hitting outfielder Kerry Carpenter (left shoulder sprain) returned Sunday in Chicago, and second baseman Gleyber Torres (oblique) homered in his first at-bat back on Tuesday as Detroit rolled to an 8-0 victory.

“They are huge bats to get back for us because it just slots guys in better spots to be successful,” Hinch said. “It’ll allow the middle of our order to have an on-base threat in front of them. Whether I hit Gleyber 1 or 2, he generally gets on base at a high clip.

“That’s going to help (Dillon Dingler), Riley (Greene), it’s going to help Kevin (McGonigle) if he hits behind him. Guys on base just change the dynamic of an inning.”

Carpenter batted cleanup in his Sunday return, going 1-for-2, then hit No. 3 in the order on Monday against the Rays, going 3-for-5 with a homer. He got a day off on Tuesday. Carpenter’s presence is key, as the Tigers managed only 80 runs while compiling a .602 OPS during his three-week absence, the lowest marks in the big leagues during that stretch.

“With Carp, we just missed the big blow,” Hinch added. “The big homer, the threat that comes with it and the carefulness which they pitch Carpenter. He’s a difference-maker.

“Those two guys lengthen the lineup and stabilize what we hope is a better offense in June … more similar to April. We swung the bats well then. May? I’d like to forget as soon as possible.”

Rays manager Kevin Cash, as he tries to forget the past two games, likely will pencil in some combination of Taylor Walls, Ben Williamson and Richie Palacios to man the middle infield on Wednesday.

Walls has transformed into a defensive wizard.

“Taylor Walls is the best shortstop in the league, and to watch him go to work every single day? Truly, it’s an honor,” Rays left-hander Shane McClanahan said. “There’s probably six or seven or eight plays so far this season where I’m like, ‘It’s a hit,’ and there’s Taylor.”

Williamson has provided some timely hits, and he pitched a scoreless ninth inning in the Tuesday blowout.

The latest loss left Tampa Bay with a 2-7 record since a five-game winning streak from May 17-22.

“We’re going through it,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “Simple as that. We’re just not playing that well. We’re not being opportunistic like we are. We’re not preventing runs like we are (used to), but we’ll turn it around here real soon.”

Rays right-hander Nick Martinez (5-1, 1.62 ERA) gets the ball on Wednesday, attempting to extend his season-long hot streak. Through 11 starts, he has yet to allow more than two runs in an outing. He has a 5-0 record and a 1.21 ERA in his past seven starts.

Martinez is 2-2 with a 4.63 ERA and a save in eight career appearances (four starts) against the Tigers.

The visitors counter with right-hander Troy Melton (1-0, 1.42 ERA), who will make his third appearance of the season, all starts. He will be opposing Tampa Bay for the first time.

Melton, 25, is coming off a strong start against the Chicago White Sox on Friday. He threw seven innings of one-run ball, allowing six hits and a walk while striking out one, in a no-decision.

–Field Level Media