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FOX 2 - The Tigers snapped a four-game skid by beating the St. Louis Cardinals 4-0 on Opening Day in Detroit.
Dillon Dingler hit a two-run home run, Kerry Carpenter, Javier Baez (one RBI) and Riley Greene (one RBI) all had two hits.
Dingler's home run came in the fourth inning, snapping a scoreless tie.
"I felt we were getting some good at-bats but not getting a lot out of it. You need some sort of breakthrough moment, and we got that," said Manager A.J. Hinch.
Hinch also praised the work of starting pitcher Framber Valdez who made his first home start and went six innings. Valdez allowed three hits, walked two and struck out five in keeping the Cardinals frustrated.
Valdez gave way after hitting a 91-pitch count through six innings. He hurled 61 strikes and 30 balls.
The Tigers' offense pumped out 10 hits to the Cardinals' five.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - APRIL 03: Dillon Dingler #13 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates his fourth inning two run home run with Riley Greene #31 while playing the St. Louis Cardinals during the Tigers home opner at Comerica Park on April 03, 2026 in Detroi …
9th inning
Tigers reliever Tyler Holton retired the Cardinals in order to preserve the win. Holton got a St. Louis ground out, struck out Ivan Herrera and got Masyn Winn on a line out to left to win the game.
8th inning
The Tigers: The Cardinals turned to reliever Chris Roycroft on the mound and retired the home team in order, with a ground out, line out and a strike out by Parker Meadows to end the inning.
The Cardinals: Tigers reliever Kyle Finnegan entered the game and gave up a leadoff single followed by a walk. He came back with a strikeout, and fielder's choice for a second out and a ground out to end the top of the inning.
7th inning
The Tigers: St. Louis reliever Gordon Graceffo entered the game, walking leadoff batter Gleyber Torres and Kerry Carpenter back-to-back.
Riley Greene had a deep fly out to center field, but advanced Torres to third base. The threat ended when Dingler hit into a double play.
The Cardinals: Will Vest came on in relief for Valdez who finished the day allowing three hits, walking two and striking out five. Vest allowed a single, got a fly out, then got back-to-back strikeouts to end the top of the inning.
6th inning
The Tigers: With one out in the bottom of the inning, the Cardinals Justin Bruihl was relieved in the sixth by George Soriano. Parker Meadows was hit by pitch then stole second and came home on an RBI single from Javier Baez with two outs. A ground out by Kevin McGonigle ended the threat.
The Cardinals: Valedez sat the visitors down 1-2-3 with two ground outs and a foul out.
5th inning
The Tigers: Kevin McGonigle roped a lead off double to left field. The rookie was thrown out on a fielder's choice that allowed Gleyber Torres to reach first base. Kerry Carpenter hit a single to put runners at the corners.
With two on and two out, Greene hit an RBI single, to score Torres - for a 3-0 lead. Dingler flew out to retire the side.
McGreevy was relieved after five and two-third innings, allowing seven hits with four strikeouts and two earned runs, giving way to Justin Bruihl.
The Cardinals: St. Louis stranded Ivan Herrera who reached base with a two-out walk, but Framber Valdez got a ground out from Alec Burleson to end the top of the inning.
4th inning
The Tigers: Dillon Dingler hit a two-run home run to left center field for a 2-0 lead. The hit scored Riley Greene who reached with a stand-up double. Zach McKinistry singled to right field but the threat ended with a strikeout from Spencer Torkelson and a ground out from Parker Meadows.
The Cardinals: Valdez gave up a leadoff single, then rallied with back-to-back strikeouts. An error at first base by Valdez allowed a second runner aboard after he dropped a ball by him from Spencer Torkelson. A walk loaded the bases but Valdez escaped the jam with a flyout.
Dillon Dingler goes deep.
3rd inning
The Tigers: Javier Baez was gunned down at the plate after reaching with a single, and steal of second base with two outs. The bang-bang play happened on a Gleyber Torres single, but Baez was tagged out, keeping the game scoreless.
The Cardinals: Valdez was touched for two hits but slammed the door with a strikeout of Thomas Saggese with runners at the corners.
2nd inning
The Tigers: Strikeouts by Darren Digler and Spencer Torkelson were sandwiched around groundout from Zach McKinstry.
The Cardinals: In the top of the inning, no hits, no runs and Valdez got his second strikeout of the game in the second.
1st inning
The Tigers: Kerry Carpenter hit a two-out single off the wall in right field but was stranded by a fly out from Riley Greene.
The Cardinals: Valdez got through the order 1-2-3 with a strikeout.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - APRIL 03: General view during the national anthem before home opener for the Detroit Tigers against the St. Louis Cardinals at Comerica Park on April 03, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
The backstory:
The Detroit Tigers open a three-game series at home against the St. Louis Cardinals today at Comerica Park.
The Tigers are looking to snap a four-game skid with starting pitcher Framber Valdez on the mound.
One of the biggest stories is the debut of rookie third baseman Kevin McGonigle who is also hitting at a .364 clip with five RBIs.
Today, McGonigle is batting lead off in today's lineup.
Detroit had an 87-75 record overall and a 46-35 record in home games last season.
The Tigers averaged 8.3 hits per game last season while batting a collective .247 and slugging .413.
St. Louis had a 78-84 record overall and a 34-47 record in road games last season.
The Cardinals pitching staff had a 4.29 ERA collectively last season while averaging 7.6 strikeouts and 2.9 walks per nine innings.
Today's game is one of 10 that FOX 2 is carrying this season. Check below for the rest.