TORONTO — Kerry Carpenter found it on Saturday at Comerica Park.
He worked a five-pitch walk in the sixth inning against Boston Red Sox reliever Zack Kelly, taking some nasty changeups for balls in the process, and realized his mechanics and approach were aligned for the first time in the calendar year. Four days later, Carpenter hit his first home run of the season in Wednesday’s 4-3 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.
“I’m happy to be where I’m at swing-wise, approach-wise,” Carpenter said. “I already feel like I’ve taken a step forward from last year, especially with pitch selection, especially with three balls, especially when I’m ahead in the count. I haven’t been as aggressive to pitches that I shouldn’t be swinging at.”
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Carpenter, who hit 36 home runs at three levels last season, feels confident at the plate in his second season with the Detroit Tigers. The 25-year-old is hitting .214 with three doubles, one homer, four walks and nine strikeouts through nine games.
He walked six times in 31 games last season.
Facing Kelly on Saturday, Carpenter saw five pitches: changeup, changeup, four-seam fastball, changeup and sinker. He whiffed at the up-and-away fastball but didn’t swing at the two outside changeups to start the plate appearance. He also didn’t swing at the changeup and sinker below the strike zone.
“Those were easy, easy takes on good pitches,” Carpenter said.
Carpenter started in the series opener against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, a 9-3 loss. He hit two of the furthest balls in the game, both to straightaway center field: 404 feet (with a 103 mph exit velocity) in the second inning and 402 feet (with a 103.9 mph exit velocity) in the fifth inning.
Both balls in play resulted in outs.
Center fielder Kevin Kiermaier robbed Carpenter of a home run in the second inning.
“Those at-bats were really good for me, swinging at pitches I want to swing at,” said Carpenter, who drew a walk in the third inning. “Staying on the ball to center field is something I really like. I feel good, even though I had two loud outs and an 0-for-2 technically, but those are good at-bats for me. If I keep doing that this season, it’ll be a good season.”
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