DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers earned their first series sweep since mid-April, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 7-2 at Tropicana Field to complete a three-game set in which they outscored them 25-7.
The victory also gave Detroit its first road series win since Opening Day against the San Diego Padres.
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Sweep marks offensive turnaround for Detroit
The Tigers (25-38) produced their highest-scoring three-game stretch since last September, a notable turnaround following a brutal May in which Detroit went 6-22 while hitting just .204 with a .597 OPS, among the lowest marks in Major League Baseball.
Detroit hit 10 home runs in the series and excelled in situational hitting, using sacrifice flies, bunts, and aggressive baserunning to score runs.
The Tigers recorded three sacrifice flies in Wednesday’s (June 3) victory alone.
Returning hitters provide spark
Kerry Carpenter and Gleyber Torres provided immediate offensive boosts after returning from the injured list during the series.
Carpenter homered in Monday’s opener and finished a triple shy of the cycle, while Torres homered Tuesday and led off Wednesday’s game with a first-pitch double.
Carpenter’s return helped the lineup and allowed manager A.J. Hinch to make adjustments, elevating Kevin McGonigle in the batting order and providing additional protection for hitters such as Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson.
Dingler drives Detroit offense
Catcher Dillon Dingler played a central role in the sweep, going 6-for-13 with three home runs and nine RBI.
Dingler hit two home runs in Monday’s win and added a three-run shot Wednesday that helped break open the finale.
Dingler also narrowly missed a fourth home run earlier in the series, settling for a deep double to left-center field.
Jake Rogers contributed both power and situational production in Wednesday’s win, hitting a solo home run in the second inning before laying down a sacrifice bunt to advance a runner, one of several Tigers to impact games in multiple ways during the series.
Baserunning pressure adds to Tampa Bay’s troubles
Detroit’s baserunners consistently pressured Tampa Bay’s defense, taking extra bases and capitalizing on opportunities as Rays outfielders played deep to limit extra-base hits.
The Tigers’ last sweep came during a six-game winning streak in mid-April that included series wins over the Miami Marlins and Kansas City Royals.
Detroit carries momentum into a three-game homestand against the Seattle Mariners beginning June 5.