Tigers' Wenceel Perez snaps unique MLB statistic, seeks offensive spark

Tigers' Wenceel Perez snaps unique MLB statistic, seeks offensive spark originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

As the Milwaukee Brewers capped their 12-4 victory Tuesday night at Comerica Park, Detroit Tigers broadcaster Dan Dickerson dug deep into his bag of MLB statistics.

It was the ninth inning and Wenceel Perez stepped into the batter's box for the first time. Dickerson acknowledged the Tigers right fielder's tough luck to open the season, one hit in 27 at-bats with three strikeouts. Dickerson then went deeper. Perez actually had a .000 batting average on 24 balls in play.

Perez's only hit proved to be a game-winning home run on April 14 and homers do not count as balls in play.

"That's some bad luck," Dickerson said, filling air time during the rout.

Tigers analyst Dan Petry joined the conversation: "It's just trying to get him going. You figured that home run would energize him and bring him back ... just let him work it out."

On cue, Perez singled to right-center field, sparking a feeble three-run rally that fell well short, but Dickerson summed up the moment by saying: "Finally ... ball in play ... hit."

Can the line-drive single help Perez shake a prolonged offensive funk?

Tigers' Wenceel Perez seeking offensive spark

Through the second week of September last season, Perez proved to be a plus player, contributing at a near .800 OPS-level clip. Mirroring the Tigers' final-month slide, costing the franchise an AL Central pennant, Perez went 6-for-54 over his final 14 games.