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

Tony Paul of The Courant has a quick review of the Tigers’ 7-5 loss to the Diamondbacks on Tuesday:

one thing i like

One day, Tigers head coach AJ Hinch and Lions head coach Dan Campbell were having coffee at a luxury hotel in Arizona, and Hinch decided to host an audio concert for his roster just five games into the season. Most notably, a scuffled Kerry Carpenter was moved out of the lead (Colt Keith), while Kevin McGonigle moved from sixth to second.

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That slight switch led to a big third-inning payoff, with the Tigers scoring five times in the third on an RBI double from Jake Rogers (who had 10 extra-base hits all year in 2026; it was his first hit in 2025) and Carpenter’s first RBI of the season on a sharp single after striking out 10 in the first four games. Riley Greene had a two-run double and a sweet, uncontrolled swing as he looks to quell criticism of his 201 strikeout season in 2025.

It was the fourth time in five games that the Tigers had at least nine players on base in an inning:

• Game one: First inning, nine batters, four runs (Tiger beat Padres 8-2)

• Game 2: Eighth inning, nine batters, four runs (Tiger 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’ third drive may have gotten a key assist from Diamondbacks head coach Torey Luvollo, who refused to question Parker Meadows’ catch attempt. Rogers followed with an RBI double to center to start the game for the Tigers.