Tigers Breakout Catcher Dillon Dingler Leads Team To Massive Victory Over Twins
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The Detroit Tigers had a definitive 7-0 victory against the Minnesota Twins on Friday night, allowing them to maintain a steady lead in the American League Central. The franchise appears to be holding a comfortable position in the standings at this time after things started to get dicey.
Although they're shining at face value, there are some gaps that still need to be addressed, particularly when considering their rocky second half of the season. They experienced a brutal dry streak in July, causing question marks to surround the team.
Despite that stretch of major struggles out of the All-Star break, the team has responded to have quite a few promising elements going for them right now. One of those includes their breakout catcher, Dillon Dingler, who has been a key player for the franchise lately.
Dingler Shines in Recent Matchup
Dingler, 26, has been an offensive machine recently and put that on full display during their recent game against the Twins. Recording three RBI on Friday, he was the star of the show in terms of the offense.
Once the game began after a 26-minute rain delay, the potential for the Tigers victory became clear early on when Dingler hit a two-run single in the first inning to immediately giving Detroit a lead. During the third inning, he had an RBI double, driving in his third run of the night.
As Jason Beck of MLB.com wrote, "The offensive production is one reason Dingler has become the Tigers' primary catcher, but his work behind the plate has been well beyond his years."
So far this season, he has hit 11 home runs and nailed a total of 49 RBIs while slashing .272/.318/.428.
Riding the hot hitting performance of Dingler on Friday, the Tigers have now won three consecutive games, one of which took place against the Chicago White Sox when they walked away with a 1-0 comeback victory.
As Detroit enters the second half of their four-game set against Minnesota, they are hoping to win the series versus their divisional foe. It won't be easy -- evident by their series about two weeks ago -- but the Tigers seem to be carrying a newfound confidence during this recent run of games.
After this set, they will face the Houston Astros who currently sit first in the American League West. Competition will be tight, but if Dingler continues to play like he has been, Detroit will be in good hands.
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Maria Aldrich graduated from SUNY Potsdam with a degree in Exercise Science and a minor in Wilderness Education. While earning her degrees, she learned the fundamentals of climbing, wilderness travel and leadership in the backcountry. These skills built upon Maria's lifelong passion for the outdoors. Following graduation, she began working in the outdoor recreation field, serving individuals with disabilities to help them access outdoor pursuits including hiking, paddling, horseback riding, and snowshoeing. The following year, Maria moved to the Adirondack Mountains in New York State to continue working towards a life of adventure and writing. She has continued rock and ice climbing, hiking in the High Peaks of the Adirondacks, and paddling through various rivers while documenting her experiences through writing. When Maria isn’t adventuring in the mountains, she can be found reading a book, fishing on a shoreline or spending time with family