The News’ Tony Paul gives his quick takes on the Tigers’ 3-2 loss to the Guardians on Friday:
One thing I loved
James Outman didn’t have a job or a home run yesterday. He’s got one of each today.
Outman had a nice Tigers debut Friday after he was claimed off waivers from the Twins on Thursday. The 29-year-old outfielder was put right into Detroit’s lineup for the series opener in Cleveland, and made an immediate impact with a nice diving catch in center field, then his first home run as a Tiger.
Outman homered leading off the third inning, teeing off on a 93-mph sinker and blasted the ball some 418 feet way over the wall in right-center field. He was homerless in 49 games (70 plate appearances) for the Twins this season. It was his first homer since Sept. 16, 2025. The guy had 23 homers for the L.A. Dodgers as a rookie in 2023.
Outman’s homer was one of two hits by the Tigers on Friday. Both were home runs. Spencer Torkelson later hit his 11th of the season, homering for the second day in a row.
First Tiger AB is a HOME RUN! pic.twitter.com/x1s7tH45AQ
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) June 12, 2026
One thing I didn’t
The Guardians have owned the Tigers in 2026, improving to 5-0 this season:
- May 18: Won, 8-2, at Comerica Park
- May 19: Won, 4-3, at Comerica Park
- May 20: Won, 3-2, at Comerica Park (10 innings)
- May 21: Won, 3-1, at Comerica Park
- June 12: Won, 3-2, at Progressive Field
Yes, that’s right. The Tigers have scored just 10 runs in five games against the Guardians this season. Tanner Bibee has limited Detroit to three runs on six hits over 15 innings in two starts in 2026, and now the Tigers’ three-series winning streak is in jeopardy. At least they’ve got Tarik Skubal back Saturday and Casey Mize back Sunday.
Tanner Bibee, Painted 87mph Cutter. 🖌️🎨
8th K thru 6 pic.twitter.com/DmtCrRYz1o
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 13, 2026
Three stars
(Season total in parentheses)
▶ Spencer Torkelson (10)
▶ Ty Madden (1)
▶ Tanner Bibee
Player of the game
(Season total in parentheses)
▶ James Outman (1)
Tigers’ uniform tracker
- Traditional home whites: 15-13
- Alternate home oranges: 3-1
- Motor City Connect home blues: 0-2
- Traditional road grays: 8-18
- Alternate road blues: 3-7
Spencer Torkelson hits his 11th home run of the year. Dan Dickerson on the call #DNMWpic.twitter.com/5PFH3EU0Kz
— Dan Dickerson Calls📞 (@dannydHRs) June 13, 2026
Next Tigers game
▶ Game 71: Twins at Guardians, 4:10 Saturday, Detroit SportsNet, 97.1
ICYMI: Yesterday’s Tigers recap
tpaul@detroitnews.com
@tonypaul1984
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Detroit Tigers recap, Game 70: One thing I loved, one thing I didn’t
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