Detroit Tigers, Game 12: One thing I loved, one thing I didn't

The News contributor Andrew Graham gives his quick takes on the Tigers' 8-6 loss to the Twins on Wednesday:

One thing I loved

A catcher bringing the lumber. Dillon Dingler came through at the plate for Detroit on Wednesday night, tallying three hits and an RBI, helping to fuel a rally that ultimately fell short as the Tigers played from a 6-0 hole after the first inning. It’s a good sign for Dingler, who had been hitless in his last three outings. And Wednesday’s outing is Dingler’s first three-hit game of the 2026 season. Dingler is a steady presence behind the plate for Detroit and has a laser beam of an arm. When he shows up as a hitter, few can affect the game quite like he can.

One thing I didn’t

Yesterday and today, the Tigers’ top pitchers started on the mound with reigning back-to-back Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal pitching Tuesday and Framber Valdez, who arrived in Detroit this offseason on a big-time free agent deal, starting Wednesday. The lefties gave up 12 runs on 18 hits and four walks over 9.2 combined innings as Detroit lost both games. Valdez got shellacked early on Wednesday, giving up six runs in the bottom of the first inning. He’d give up two more runs, one in the fourth inning and another in the sixth, getting pulled before recording an out in that frame. Valdez finished giving up eight runs on 10 hits. It’s early in the season, the sample size is small and better days are likely ahead, but back-to-back days of one's top starters getting roughed up is never a good time.

Three stars

▶ Gleyber Torres

▶ Dillon Dingler

▶ Byron Buxton

Player of the game

▶ Dillon Dingler

Next Tigers game

▶ Game 13: Tigers at Twins, 1:40 p.m. Thursday, DSN, 97.1

Andrew Graham is a freelance writer.

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Detroit Tigers, Game 12: One thing I loved, one thing I didn't