Carpenter's Homer Sparks Tigers' Win

0:00On April 5, Detroit Tiders' outfielder Carrie Carpenter smashed a two-run homer in their 11-6 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. It capped a three-run first inning in a wild slugfest at Comerica Park. That 359-foot opposite-field shot was his first of the season besides teammate Dylan Dinglers and it barely cleared the wall. Pitcher Dustin May hung the change-up on the outside corner and Carpenter reached for it, connecting solidly. He wasn't sure to go out at first, but the park's short right-field mine helped. Staccast says it had been a homer in nine big league stadiums. Carpenter has been battling timing issues early on, facing fastballs just 38% of the time, one of the lowest rates in the majors. Teams are feeding him off-speed stuff to make him chase low in a way. But he's made adjustments the last couple days, staying disciplined and seeing the ball better. Friday's home opener showed it. He ripped the 110-mile per-hour line drive off the fence, singled up the middle, and didn't swing and miss.

1:01Once over 18 pitches, manager AJ Hinch loves the play discipline, even on called strikes. Saturday, he added a sacrifice fly for three RBI's total from the cleanup spot. With swings like these, Carpenter's heating up fast and the Tigers could use that pop all season long. From around the league, powered by AI, this is MLB News Today.