Spencer Torkelson leaves the yard as Tigers roll

Tork’s homer was a three-run shot off Jeffrey Springs that blew the game open for Detroit. The 26-year-old has been the Tigers’ everyday first baseman this season, but he isn’t hitting as well as he did in either of his two best seasons. Following some years when he was up and down between Triple-A and the majors, the Tigers are giving him plenty of chances to prove he belongs. He’ll need a strong second half to cement himself as part of the core heading into the offseason. Notably, Tork’s strikeout rate is over 30% this season for the first time in his career.

It appears to be nothing more than a routine day off for the 26-year-old slugger. Torkelson has had a rough time overall at the dish this season, slashing a disappointing .207/.308/.404 with 12 long balls, 32 RBI and a 104/36 K/BB ratio in 319 plate appearances. Colt Keith will cover first base in his absence and will bat second for the Tigers against Astros’ right-hander Hunter Brown on Sunday afternoon.

Torkelson tagged Tanner Bibee for a 416-foot (105.9-mph EV) solo shot to center in the eighth inning that made it a one-run game at 3-2. That would be his lone hit in three at-bats on the evening. For the season, the 26-year-old slugger is now slashing .213/.312/.417 with the aforementioned 11 long balls and 28 RBI.

Torkelson added a pair of valuable insurance runs with a 389-foot (100.3-mph EV) two-run shot off of Alex Hoppe in the seventh inning that increased the Tigers’ lead to 7-2. That would be his only hit in four at-bats on the night. For the season, the 26-year-old slugger is now slashing .214/.316/.410 with nine homers and 25 RBI on the season.

Torkelson went deep off of José Soriano in the second inning to push the Tigers’ lead to 2-0. It was the eighth homer of the season for Torkelson, who also doubled twice in his powerful display at the dish. It was a much-needed big night for Torkelson, who entered the day with a .198 average and a .373 slugging percentage. He’s now hit safely in five of his last six games, so hopefully this is a sign of good things to come for him at the plate.

Torkelson will undoubtedly be in there for the nightcap against left-hander Trevor Rogers and will likely make an appearance off of the bench in the first game. Dillon Dingler will function as the team’s designated hitter while Colt Keith covers first base and bats sixth against Brandon Young and the O’s.

It’s Torkelson’s first time out of the lineup in exactly a month. The Tigers have Dillon Dingler at DH today, which is probably playing a role in Torkelson’s absence. Colt Keith is starting at first.

Torkelson’s homer off Parker Messick accounted for two-thirds of the Tigers’ runs tonight. It was his first homer against a lefty in 36 at-bats this season. He’s batting .194 against both lefties and righties, though he does have a far better OBP (.370 to .289) with the platoon advantage.

The Tigers entered the home half of the ninth embattled in a 2-2 tie. Matt Vierling started the rally with a one out single and swiped second base, then after Zach McKinstry was walked intentionally, Torkelson smacked a 2-2 fastball from Jeff Hoffman into right field for the game-winning hit. He finished the night 1-for-3 and is now hitting .200/.324/.379 with six homers and 17 RBI on the season.

Torkelson struck out in his other three at-bats tonight, but he had the biggest blow in the game after Jack Leiter faced the minimum through four innings. Riley Greene walked to start the fifth and then Torkelson sent a slider 388 feet to left-center. It’s Torkelson’s sixth homer of the year. The other five were all hit in consecutive games from Apr. 22-26.