Detroit Tigers Weekly Minor League Recap: Putting in Workman

Detroit Tigers Minor League Recap – Week 3

West Michigan Whitecaps, 8-9, 4th (2.5 GB) in High-A Central, East Division

The Whitecaps hit the road to Wisconsin and had a successful 4-2 week on both sides of the ball. Garrett Hill (5IP, 3H, 8K) kicked things off with an excellent start on Tuesday, and Rey Rivera (3-for-5, HR) led an 11-hit attack in West Michigan’s 8-4 victory. Rivera and Bryant Packard homered on Wednesday, and the Caps used six pitchers to tough out a 6-4 win. Beau Brieske (6IP, H, R, 9K) was outstanding on Thursday and West Michigan hitters drew 11 walks in a 4-1 triumph.

Friday’s game was rained out, leading to a doubleheader on Saturday. The Timber Rattlers won both ends of the twin bill, though the Whitecaps made things very interesting. Game one saw Spencer Torkelson hit his first professional home run, and West Michigan scored twice in the 7th, but Rivera grounded out with the bases loaded to finish the 9-8 loss. The Caps tied game two in the 7th on back-to-back homers from Daniel Cabrera and Andre Lipcius, but Wisconsin won 8-7 when Zack Hess surrendered a walk-off homer to Thomas Dillard. The Whitecaps shook off that disappointment and took the series on Sunday, getting another big game from Rivera (2-for-4, 2B, HR) in a 4-0 victory.

• Torkelson left Sunday’s game with hamstring tightness, but it doesn’t sound too serious. Detroit’s top pick last year was finally starting to show signs of life, going 7-for-18 with a double, a homer, and four walks to just one strikeout.
• Brieske had a brutal season debut, giving up five earned runs in less than an inning, but in his last two starts he has been terrific. The 23-year-old righty has allowed just four hits and one run in his last 11 innings, while striking out 16 and not allowing a single walk. He was named pitcher of the week, and his teammate…
• Rey Rivera was named hitter of the week. Rivera has struggled mightily in pro ball, but he showed flashes of his talent last week. The big slugger went 9-for-18 with three doubles and four home runs, and he now leads the club with a .922 OPS.