Dormant in May, Tigers' offense, sparked by Colt Keith, powering up in June
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Dormant in May, Tigers' offense, sparked by Colt Keith, powering up in June originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Detroit Tigers' infielder Colt Keith couldn't help but smile as he rounded the bases at Comerica Park on Thursday.
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The relief was evident.
After 185 at-bats, Keith delivered his first home run this season.
Upon entering the home dugout, the third-year big leaguer experienced the time-tested "silent treatment" by his teammates. Keith, known as one of the locker room's funniest personalities, played along with the gag, pretending to high-five everyone.
"That was awesome," Keith said, per MLB.com. "It felt like a big weight off my shoulders, getting the first one. It was great."
Clearly, the Tigers, who clubbed six home runs during the series-ending, 11-0 rout over the Minnesota Twins, were having fun again.
Through nine games in June, the Tigers, who open a series against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on Friday, compiled a .580 team slugging percentage. If the trend continues, it would be the highest mark since 1930.
In May, the Tigers' mood was much darker.
Tigers powering way out of disastrous May
During a 20-game span last month, the Tigers' offense disappeared. They hit just .137 in runners in scoring position and averaged just 2.6 runs during that stretch. For the month, they went 6-22. On May 29, the Tigers dropped to 13 games under .500 and were 10.5 games out of the AL Central pennant chase.
Competing to avoid the AL's worst record, the Tigers dropped a "Sacko Series" to the visiting Los Angeles Angels (May 26-28). Their troubles continued throughout May. They scored just five combined runs while getting swept by the Chicago White Sox (May 29-31) at Rate Field.
First baseman Spencer Torkelson lowlighted the offensive struggles. The two-time 31-homer slugger slashed .179/.329/.224 during his opening 22 appearances. His worth was minus-0.4 bWAR.
Slamming his 10th homer Thursday, Torkelson's power has returned, but he still has yet to hit for average, entering the Guardians series batting .211.
Gleyber Torres, Riley Greene, Zach McKinstry and Wanceel Perez also homered Thursday. The Tigers (29-40) enter the weekend 5.5 games out of the AL Wild Card race, but are getting healthier.
Two-time Cy Young award winner Tarik Skubal (elbow) is scheduled to come off the injured list and start Saturday. He could return 38 days after surgery.
Will the good times continue for the Tigers?
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