Hollywood could not script a better day for Detroit Tigers baseball.
After weeks of gray, cold and overall blah weather, the sun came out in full force, as game time temperature was 67 degrees. An announced crowd of 37,000 plus witness history as Miguel Cabrera hit number 3,000 and 3,001 and drove in two as Detroit trounced the Rockies 13-0. Every starter in the lineup recorded a hit and “Hittin” Harold Castro lived up to his name as he went 4-for-5.
But there was a moment today that seem rather extraordinary. In the first inning after Cabrera’s single, Spencer Torkelson hit a three-run homer to put the Tigers ahead 4-0. Akil Baddoo, who was back in the lineup today after having the last two games off, collected a hit, batting 9th.
Normally, I try to avoid using words like “extraordinary” because it just sounds cheesy and cliché but for this narrative, it fits. This is the next potential All-Star that could set records of his own in a Detroit Tigers uniform.
Spencer Torkelson hits a three run home run and meets Miguel Cabrera at home for the big bear hug! #DetroitRoots pic.twitter.com/fGPpD9w8qL
— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) April 23, 2022
Detroit Tigers starting pitchers getting into a groove
Tarik Skubal went out and gave Detroit a quality start as he tossed six shutout innings, striking out six and allowing just five hits.
Along with Michael Pineda and Eduardo Rodriguez, that’s three straight starts in which Tigers pitchers went five or more innings and have allowed three runs or fewer.
Listen to “Woodward Tigers Episode 002: Boonegate” on Spreaker.
Right-hander Beau Brieske gets his first major league start tonight in the second game of the doubleheader. Chris Brown over at Motor City Bengals did an outstanding piece on facts on the rookie and how fast Beau has made it to the majors.
“The MLB draft began in 1965, and in its 56 years of existence just 46 players* have signed in the 27th round and gone on to reach the majors. Only four made it to the big leagues faster than Brieske, in terms of years. And no 27th-rounder has ever reached the big leagues in fewer games. Beau Brieske pitched in just 34 games in the minors.”
Brieske throws a changeup, fastball, curve and a slider. We broke down his starts from 2021 over at the Tigers Minor League Report.
A familiar infielder shares a moment with Miguel
As the 3,000 hit happened, former Detroit Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias was one of the first players to embrace Miguel. Afterward, he spoke to the media about how the event unfolded.
“Playing in the National League this year and be able to experience such a great moment being next his teammates and his family.
So, it was a big day for him, a big day for baseball and I just couldn’t be more proud of watch him and be a part of it.”
The moment was so big, both Cabrera and Iglesias could not sleep last night when they met up before the game yesterday.
“He’s like, I can’t sleep. I say, me either, so you better knock this out.”
That he did. Detroit Tigers fans could not ask for a perfect game.
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