Detroit Tigers' Troy Melton makes MLB debut, gives up 6 runs in 6-1 loss to Pirates
The newcomer gave up six runs.
And the Tigers lost, 6-1, to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday, July 23, at PNC Park — swept by the lowly Pirates in the three-game series.
The Tigers (60-43) have a 1-9 record since July 9 — and a 14-18 record in 32 games since June 14.
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The offense has been limited to two or fewer runs in five of the past six games, all since the All-Star break. In their past 10 games, the Tigers are hitting just .215 with a .621 OPS — after hitting .253 with a .751 OPS in their first 93 games.
In Wednesday's game, Melton allowed six runs on seven hits and two walks with seven strikeouts across five innings, throwing 66.7% of his 90 pitches for strikes.
The 24-year-old posted a 2.72 ERA in eight games (six starts) for Triple-A Toledo before the Tigers promoted him for his MLB debut. He also had a 3.23 ERA in 10 starts for Double-A Erie.
The Pirates crushed Melton early and often.
Andrew McCutchen, a 17-year MLB veteran, welcomed Melton to the big leagues by hitting a first-pitch 97.2 mph fastball for a solo home run to center field with one out in the first inning for a 1-0 lead.
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In the second inning, Melton was responsible for a single to Oneil Cruz and walks to Tommy Pham and Joey Bart — loading the bases with one out. He bounced back with a three-pitch strikeout for the second out, then surrendered a grand slam to Spencer Horwitz hit a second-pitch cutter to center, to extend the Pirates' lead to 5-0.
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The Pirates tacked on their sixth run against Melton in the third inning, when Bryan Reynolds hit a double, advanced to third base on a flyout and scored on Cruz's sacrifice fly.
Facing Melton, the Pirates averaged a 96.2 mph exit velocity on 15 balls in play.
At the Triple-A level, Melton allowed an average exit velocity of 93.6 mph, so hard contact from hitters will be something to monitor moving forward, whether he's with the Tigers or Mud Hens.
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One run not enough
For the Pirates, left-hander Bailey Falter allowed one run on four hits and zero walks with eight strikeouts in seven innings, throwing 87 pitches. The 28-year-old didn't give up a hit until the fourth inning, and he didn't give up a run until the seventh inning.
He entered with a 4.00 ERA in 20 starts.
He now has a 3.82 ERA after his 21st start.
The Tigers scored their lone run in the seventh inning, when Spencer Torkelson — who continues to hit the ball hard — delivered a one-out double off Falter's first-pitch fastball and scored on an ensuing single from Matt Vierling.
That cut the Tigers' deficit to 6-1.
A two-out single from Wenceel Pérez marked the Tigers' first hit, occurring with two outs in the fourth inning.
First MLB strikeout (and more)
In his first game, Melton recorded the first strikeout of his MLB career against Kiner-Falefa in the second inning.
Melton needed just three pitches: 86.7 mph slider for a swinging strike, 99.1 mph four-seam fastball for a called strike and 79.9 mph curveball for a called strike.
The Pirates had already scored six runs, but Melton struck out five batters in his final two innings.
He worked around two singles with three swinging strikeouts in the fifth, taking down McCutchen (96.1 mph sinker), Nick Gonzales (84.3 mph slider) and Tommy Pham (84.9 mph slider).
Melton generated 14 whiffs on 47 swings for a 29.8% rate with three fastballs, eight sliders, one sinker, one curveball and one splitter. His fastball averaged 97 mph, maxing out at 99.2 mph.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers rookie pounded early in 6-1 loss to Pirates
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