Bobby Scales on Colt Keith’s move to first base and player progression
Detroit Tigers radio analyst Bobby Scales talks what fans could expect with Colt Keith’s new role and what other players he’s keeping an eye on.
LAKELAND, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday, 9-6, at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.
Detroit is 10-10 in Grapefruit League play.
What happened
On a cold, windy day, Reese Olson got the start and struggled with his command. Of his 71 pitches, only 44 were strikes. He threw 4⅓ innings, giving up seven hits and six runs — three of which were earned.
“He was just pitching from behind,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “I mean, it’s easy to chalk it up for spring training. Obviously, he built some endurance up. He just didn’t execute. And today wasn’t an easy day to pitch.”
Colt Keith had a great day at the plate, picking up three hits and drove in a run; and he even picked up a steal.
“He keeps hitting and he’s putting up really good swings, even on some balls that he’s missing,” Hinch said.
Getting started
When the game began, it was 65 degrees with 17 mph wind from northwest with gusts up to 28 mph.
And that wind caused havoc on the outfielders.
It was blowing directly at right, where Spencer Torkelson was making his first start of pro ball.
Before the game, Hinch said he was more focused on Torkelson’s positioning on each batter than how he played. In the fifth inning, Torkelson had a learning opportunity. He unleashed an aggressive throw to third base, trying to cut down a runner. But it allowed the hitter to advance to second.
Hinch had no problem with the throw.
At the plate
In the first inning, the Tigers unleashed a whole bunch of doubles trouble.
Gleyber Torres crushed a ball to left field — and it looked like a sure homer — but the wind seemed to bring it back. The ball bounced off the wall and drove in two runs.
Then, Keith got into the act. He sliced a ball into left field, cutting directly into the wind, and it fell fair. He ended up with a two-run double.
Finally, Dylan Dingler joined the party, hitting a double into left driving in a run.
“It was nice to see a bunch of hits in a row, or a bunch of good at bats in a row,” Hinch said.
Wenceel Pérez went 2-for-3 driving in a run and scoring one.
And Justyn-Henry Malloy started in left and picked up a pair of hits and scored two runs.
Prospect Kevin McGonigle showed both his bat — picking up a hit — and his smarts and aggressiveness. He scored on a wild pitch.
On the mound
Olson got the start and have gave up two runs in the first inning, as the Pirates hit several fly balls to the outfield on an incredibly windy day, but both runs were unearned.
“Wasn’t very sharp,” Olson said. “That’s all.”
And Tommy Kahnle pitched an inning, giving up a pair of hits but no runs. He has not given up a run in three appearances.
Three stars
1. Colt Keith. 2. Justyn-Henry Malloy. 3. Wenceel Pérez.
Next up: Twins
Tuesday (1:05 p.m., no TV) vs. Minnesota in Fort Myers.
Contact Jeff Seidel: [email protected]. Follow him on X @seideljeff.
STARTED AT THE BOTTOM: Tigers found prospect at bottom floor; he’ll pitch in Sunday’s Breakout game
Contact Jeff Seidel: [email protected]. Follow him on X @seideljeff
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