DETROIT — Dietrich Enns threw five shutout innings in his first MLB game since 2021 to lead the Detroit Tigers to an 8-0 victory over the Athletics on Thursday afternoon at Comerica Park.
The Tigers (51-31) took two of three from the A’s (33-50), securing their first series win since 2016 against the franchise formerly based in Oakland.
Enns, who played college ball at Central Michigan, spent the last three seasons pitching in Asia before signing a minor-league contract with the Tigers this winter. His contract was selected from Triple-A Toledo before the game.
Enns allowed just one hit and two walks, striking out four, to earn his first MLB win since Sept. 16, 2021, which happened to be against the Tigers.
“Dietrich came in and stayed under control, stayed within himself from all the excitement and the return after a thousand days or whatever it’s been, and delivered a great performance at a time when we needed it,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch told reporters after the game. “Hats off to him and everyone around him that helped get him to this moment.”
Spencer Torkelson opened the scoring with a solo homer in the second inning off lefty starter Jeffrey Springs.
“We relied on (Torkelson) so much during the early part of the season, and it felt like he was coming through every single time,” Hinch said. “He doesn’t need to be perfect to get back to that. He just has to get a good pitch to hit. He stayed through that pitch and got rewarded for it and contributed. He continues to work. It’s the same attitude, it’s the same Tork, it’s the same mentality.”
Jahmai Jones had a two-run double in the third.
The Tigers added on late. Gleyber Torres hit a two-run homer in the seventh, and Zach McKinstry’s two-run triple highlighted a three-run eighth inning.
After Enns departed, relievers Brenan Hanifee, Tyler Holton, Chase Lee and Will Vest each delivered a scoreless inning to complete the shutout.
It’s not clear if Enns will get another start in five or six days, but Hinch said he’ll be sticking around.
“He’s earned the right to pitch again in some capacity, and we’re looking forward to getting him out there,” Hinch said. “Is it going to be in the bullpen, is it going to be starting? I don’t know, but it’s going to be in the big leagues.”
Up next: The Tigers open a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins on Friday at 7:10 p.m. at Comerica Park.
Right-hander Sawyer Gipson-Long (0-0, 4.58 ERA) will start for the Tigers. The Twins have not yet announced a starter.
This will be Gipson-Long’s first game against his old organization. He was drafted in the sixth round by the Twins in 2019 and traded to the Tigers for reliever Michael Fulmer at the deadline in 2022.
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