Wentz sees improvement, but remains winless

DETROIT -- Joey Wentz's results against the Orioles were different this time around. But the Tigers’ struggles against Baltimore have yet to turn.

Major League Baseball’s adjustment to a more balanced schedule this year should mean fewer occasions like what Wentz just encountered, facing the same opponent in back-to-back starts five days apart. But for the young left-hander, it was an opportunity for growth, a chance to show that he can make adjustments against the lineup that beat him Saturday. They’re the tests that Detroit's young starters passed before him.

After giving up five runs in four innings in Baltimore, Wentz did his part this time, delivering 5 2/3 innings of two-run ball, with one walk and six strikeouts. But a five-run O’s seventh inning off Chasen Shreve and 15 runners left on base sent Detroit to a 7-4 defeat Thursday night at Comerica Park.

The Tigers’ fourth loss in as many tries against the Orioles over the past seven days continued the dichotomy that has defined their schedule so far. Detroit fell to 1-12 against the American League East, compared to 8-3 against the rest of MLB.

Four of Wentz’s five starts have come against AL East clubs, who roughed him up to varying degrees in the previous three. He arguably had better pitches than results last time out against Baltimore, but he couldn’t avoid a four-run third inning that included two hits and one walk from three consecutive batters out of 0-2 counts with two outs.

Wentz prepared for the rematch with three points of improvement: land more breaking balls for strikes, command his changeup better and utilize a backdoor cutter on the outside corner against right-handed hitters.

“I thought I did all three better than last outing,” Wentz said.

While Wentz’s pitch mix was similar -- 47 percent fastballs, with 23 percent each cutters and changeups -- the latter two pitches were more effective. His changeup drew nearly as many swinging strikes (six) as he had with all of his pitches last start (eight). It garnered him a key strikeout of right-handed hitter Ryan McKenna with runners on second and third and one out in the fifth inning. It also helped him strike out Ramón Urías, who hit a bases-clearing double off him last weekend.

Wentz’s cutter, meanwhile, drew five called strikes, four more than in his last start, allowing him to work ahead in counts and set up his fastball.

“I love how he commanded the at-bats for the most part and really went into attack mode,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “Seeing a team for the second time in five days, not easy, but he certainly did a nice job of using his pitches.”

On the pitches that went into play, fortune cut both ways. Wentz was again bitten by a two-out hit on Thursday, this time in the fifth inning. He was 0-2 in the count, this time to Baltimore second baseman Joey Ortiz in his Major League debut. Wentz had fooled him with a fastball-changeup combination at the top of the strike zone, but Ortiz fouled off consecutive 95 mph high fastballs before taking changeups below the zone.

Wentz went back to the 95 mph high fastball, this time at the outside edge. Ortiz got enough of it for a chopper that bounced over first baseman Spencer Torkelson’s head for a two-run single.

Tough luck, but Wentz couldn’t complain after the next inning. Ryan Mountcastle, whose single was part of the rally that doomed Wentz’s last start, golfed a cutter deep to right. Kerry Carpenter reached over the fence for a highlight grab that denied what would have been a go-ahead two-run homer.

“Kind of took a breath, because I thought it was gone,” Wentz said. “He brought it back.”

Wentz caught his breath, but had enough confidence to go back to a cutter on the outside edge to fan Anthony Santander.

That was it for his outing, one out shy of a quality start. Wentz didn’t get a decision in the loss, remaining winless on the season, but it’s an important step in his development.

“He's starting to settle into his own,” catcher Eric Haase said, “and I think once the leash comes off and they start letting him go deeper into ballgames, things are going to be really good for him.”