Tigers’ Fielding Mistakes Beginning to Take Their Toll

Tigers’ Fielding Mistakes Starting to Become Costly

For most of the season, the Tigers have been an above-average defensive team thanks to their infield’s versatility and outfield’s athleticism. But Detroit’s last week of games has shown that maybe their defense isn’t as solid as they thought. The Tigers have committed nine errors over their last six games entering Wednesday, a stark contrast from their 0.51 per game average. The team hasn’t gone without a fielding mistake since a 1-0 extra-innings victory on August 19th.

Detroit managed to survive its miscues against the Houston Astros and Kansas City Royals, winning three of four despite committing five errors over that stretch. But the Tigers’ fielding issues have only worsened in their current series against the Athletics. The A’s are hot, winning 20 of their last 30 contests. However, each of Detroit’s last two losses could have been avoided had the team not made a pair of errors in each matchup.

Defensive Miscues to Blame for Recent Losses

The Athletics stunned Detroit 8-3 in the first bout of the teams’ three-game series. But through six innings, it seemed like another masterful Tarik Skubal performance that would result in an expected win for the Tigers. Even after shortstop Zach McKinstry made an error that resulted in an unearned run, Detroit still led 3-1.

In the bottom of the seventh, though, a McKinstry mistake proved much more costly. To begin the frame, Skubal gave up his lone earned run of the game, a long ball to rookie right fielder Colby Thomas. The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner proceeded to give up a single and a double, suddenly putting the final result in question.

Skubal readjusted for the next batter, coaxing a routine ground ball that should have been an easy out at first base. Instead, McKinstry made his second error of the game after getting jumbled up with third baseman Andy Ibáñez. No one scored on the play, but the damage would be done later that inning.

Skubal proceeded to strike out the next two A’s batters, which would have ended the inning without the miscue. Instead, with two outs, Shea Langeliers, one of the hottest hitters in baseball, crushed a grand slam that gave his team a lead it would never surrender. Detroit didn’t score again, but even if they had, the damage was already done.

Failing to Bounce Back

The Tigers had a chance to avenge their ace’s loss on Tuesday, a contest in which both teams came out firing. The A’s scored five off Charlie Morton in the first three innings. However, a grand slam from Riley Greene kept the contest in reach. A fifth-inning homer from Colt Keith tied the game, but the second half featured quiet bats on both sides.

Errors from both McKinstry and Keith didn’t result in any extra runs late in the game thanks to Troy Melton‘s composure. But they did gift the A’s extra chances while also giving Detroit’s talented young reliever a reason to sweat. Instead, it was Will Vest who walked in the winning run in the 10th, giving the Tigers their third-straight loss.

While they didn’t have the same disastrous repercussions in the second game, Detroit continued to make errors at an alarming rate. Both Greene and McKinstry have made multiple errors in the last week. Jahmai Jones, Dillon Dingler, and Keith have each added one to their season tally in that span, as well.

This string of mistakes and miscommunications won’t define the Tigers’ season. But it’s a troubling trend. If Detroit keeps this up, its hold on the top spot in the American League could slip fast. And unless this chippy squad tightens up its discipline on the field, the postseason won’t be forgiving.