Dietrich Enns shines in his return, pitching 5 scoreless innings as the Tigers blank the Athletics 8-0 on June 26. Torkelson adds a HR in the dominant win.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
You couldn't have scripted it better. After a journey that took him across the Pacific and back, Dietrich Enns took the mound for the Detroit Tigers for the first time since 2021 and delivered a masterpiece. The lefty baffled the Oakland Athletics for five scoreless innings, spearheading a dominant 8-0 victory that had Comerica Park buzzing on a beautiful Thursday evening.
Five scoreless innings in his first MLB start since 2021. One incredible comeback story.
It's a story of pure perseverance. When Dietrich Enns was selected from Triple-A Toledo, many fans had to look up his history. His last MLB start was in 2021, before stints with the Seibu Lions in Japan and the LG Twins in South Korea. The Tigers took a chance, and it paid off immediately. Enns was efficient and effective, scattering hits and keeping the A's off balance through five masterful frames. It was the kind of performance that energizes a clubhouse and a fanbase. To make room for his inspiring return, the team designated fellow LHP Matt Gage for assignment, a tough but necessary move to facilitate a truly special moment.
While Enns was dealing, the Tigers' offense made sure his efforts wouldn't go to waste. Spencer Torkelson continued his hot hitting with a towering home run, and Gleyber Torres added a blast of his own, providing more than enough cushion. But the offensive star of the night might have been Zach McKinstry, who fell just a home run short of the cycle, finishing with three hits including a double and a triple. It was a relentless attack from top to bottom, with the Tigers putting up eight runs on the board and chasing A's starter Jeffrey Springs after he surrendered three of them.
Even in an 8-0 blowout, the Tigers' 2025 identity was on full display: aggressive baserunning. This has been a calling card all season, a philosophy instilled by manager A.J. Hinch. From Riley Greene taking the extra base to Gleyber Torres putting pressure on the defense, the team is constantly looking for an edge. This approach doesn't just manufacture runs in close games; it sets a tone. It tells the opponent that there are no easy outs and no plays off. This relentless pressure is a key ingredient in the team's success this year and was evident again tonight.
A feel-good story, a dominant win, and another display of the team's aggressive identity—it was a perfect night for the Tigers. The big question now is what's next for Dietrich Enns. Has he pitched his way into a longer stay in the rotation? As the team looks to build on this momentum, performances like this one prove they have depth and determination. One thing is for sure: this 2025 Tigers team is fun, relentless, and full of great stories.
