Dietrich Enns stepped onto the mound with a steely calm that belied the weight of the moment. Making his return to the majors, the lefty pitched five flawless innings, leading the Detroit Tigers to a commanding 8-0 victory over the Oakland Athletics.
After a stretch in the minors that might have dented the resolve of lesser players, Enns found his groove on Tuesday night. His command was crisp, and his pitches darted with intention, holding the A’s to zero runs and fueling Detroit's powerhouse shutout.
“I just wanted to stay focused and execute my pitches,” Enns said post-game. “The team gave me great support, both defensively and offensively, and it felt good to contribute.”
The Tigers’ offense was relentless. Lead by their ever-consistent slugger Miguel Cabrera, who went 3-for-4 with two RBIs, Detroit piled on the pressure from the first inning onward. A two-run homer by Jeimer Candelario in the third put the Tigers ahead, and they never looked back.
Meanwhile, the A’s struggled to generate any offense. Oakland's bats were stifled by Enns, followed by a bullpen that showed no mercy. By the time the closing pitch was thrown, the A's had managed only two hits, a telling testament to the Tigers' pitching dominance.
Manager A.J. Hinch praised Enns’s performance, noting, “He’s worked incredibly hard to get back here, and tonight he showed everyone what he’s capable of. This is just the beginning for Dietrich.”
With this victory, the Tigers continue their push in the standings, while the Athletics are left to regroup. Detroit's next challenge is a series against the Twins, where they'll look to maintain their momentum.
