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Detroit Tigers, Game 5: One thing I loved, one thing I didn't

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The News' Tony Paul gives his quick takes on the Tigers' 7-5 loss to the Diamondbacks on Tuesday:

One thing I loved

On a day when Tigers manager AJ Hinch and Lions head coach Dan Campbell had a coffee date in a posh Arizona hotel, Hinch decided to throw an audible with his lineup — just five games into the season. Most notably, the scuffling Kerry Carpenter was moved out of the leadoff spot (Colt Keith, in), and the kid, Kevin McGonigle, was moved up to second, from the sixth spot.

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The slight switcharooo paid off with a monster third inning, in which the Tigers scored five times, highlighted by Jake Rogers' RBI double (he had 10 extra-base hits all of 2026; that was his first of 2025), and Carpenter's first RBI of the season, on a sharp single, after striking out 10 times in his first four games. Riley Greene had a two-run double, featuring a sweet, under-control swing for a guy who's looking to quiet the critics of his 201-strikeout 2025.

It already was the fourth time in five games the Tigers have sent at least nine men to the plate in an inning:

  • Game 1: First inning, nine batters, four runs (Tigers beat Padres, 8-2)
  • Game 2: Eighth inning, nine batters, four runs (Tigers beat Padres, 5-2)
  • Game 4: Seventh inning, 12 batters, six runs (Tigers lost to Diamondbacks, 9-6)
  • Game 5: Third inning, nine batters, five runs (Tigers lost to Diamondbacks, 7-5)

Interestingly, the Tigers' big third inning might've gotten a key assist from Diamondbacks manager Torey Luvollo, who declined to challenge the call on a pickoff attempt on Parker Meadows. Rogers followed with a long RBI double to center and the Tigers were off to the races.

Big innings are fun, but ...

One thing I didn't

It's been feast or famine for the Tigers' bats this season.

In four innings, they've scored 19 runs. In the other 41 innings, they've scored five runs. In those four monster innings, the Tigers are 18-for-30 (.600) with nine walks. In the other 41 innings, they are 18-for-138 (.130). All six of the Tigers' hits Tuesday came in the one inning, allowing Diamondbacks starter Brandon Pfaadt to get through six innings, and limiting the Tigers' looks at that awful Arizona bullpen.

And, so, the Diamondbacks stayed within striking distance, and boy did they strike, with a six-run eighth, off Tigers relievers Drew Anderson (two outings, two duds), Will Vest (flat, but done no favors by a questionable throw home by third baseman Zach McKinstry) and Kenley Jansen (whose 91-mph meatball cutter will land eventually — and go down as homer No. 2 for Jose Fernandez, who had No. 1 earlier in the game, and three hits and four RBIs in his MLB debut).

Add it all up and Tigers went from a 96.9% win-probability rate to a 100% disaster, for their worst loss of the young season, and a three-game skid. At least, Tarik Skubal Day is next, before the Tigers come home for Opening Day in Detroit on Good Friday.

Casey's K's

A look at the punch-out pitch on Casey Mize's nine strikeouts Tuesday; pay close attention to the splitter:

  • Splitter (6): Alek Thomas (second inning), Carlos Santana (second), Jordan Lawlar (second), Thomas (fourth), Ketel Marte (fifth), Corbin Carroll (sixth)
  • Slurve (1): Gabriel Moreno (fourth)
  • Fastball (1): James McCann (fifth)
  • Slider (1): Moreno (sixth)

The nine K's were one off Mize's career high of 10, done twice (once in 2025 and once in 2024).

Three stars

(Season total in parentheses)

▶ Jose Fernandez; sometimes, the opponent gets the nod

▶ Riley Greene (2)

▶ Jake Rogers

Player of the game

▶ Casey Mize

Next Tigers game

▶ Game 6: Tigers at Diamondbacks, 3:40 Wednesday, DSN, 97.1

ICYMI: Yesterday's Tigers recap

[email protected]

@tonypaul1984

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Detroit Tigers, Game 5: One thing I loved, one thing I didn't

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