Justyn-Henry Malloy leads off Tigers return with poise atop the order

DETROIT – What a difference a week makes for Justyn-Henry Malloy.

The Tigers’ designated hitter and leadoff man started the season with Triple-A Toledo. An early morning call-up Monday was just the opportunity Malloy needed. His production at the top of the order is just the spark the Tigers have needed to string wins together like the one on Saturday.

Malloy started strong in a 7-2 victory over the White Sox, going 1-for-2 with a sacrifice fly and two walks. The 25-year-old doubled on the first pitch he saw, coming around to score later in the first inning and twice in the game.

“I’ve looked at it as a privilege to be able to try to set the tone,” Malloy told Local 4 in the clubhouse after the game. “There are a lot of dangerous guys who are hitting after me. I just want to set the tone and be able to do my job, so that it’s passing the baton to [Kerry Carpenter], who’s passing it to Riley [Greene], who’s passing it to [Spencer Torkelson], like it’s just this domino effect.”

Malloy’s ability to work the count plays a pivotal role in passing the baton down the order. In four games since returning to the big leagues, Malloy has drawn six walks. A six pitch at-bat in the second inning Saturday set the stage for Kerry Carpenter to homer on the first pitch he saw in the ensuring plate appearance.

“He can do it all,” Carpenter said after driving in his third home run in two games. “I love hitting behind him. I’m confident even with two outs when he gets up that I’m going to get an at-bat that inning. He’s going to work the pitcher. He’s never going to give up an at-bat. His growth this year has been pretty special to watch. He’s a great table-setter for us.”

For the second consecutive game, six different Tigers drove in runs, led by Carpenter’s home run and two RBI. Riley Greene tied the game with a single in the bottom of the first. Andy Ibañez’s RBI single opened a 2-1 lead later in the frame and by the time Trey Sweeney and Spencer Torkelson connected in the third, a 7-1 cushion was opened for Reese Olson to operate with ease on the mound.

Ibañez drew praise from manager A.J. Hinch for his offensive and defensive efforts, but Malloy’s efforts were noticed too. He notices and appreciates his teammates noticing each other.

“It’s cool to see the smaller things guys get applauded for stuff that’s not really seen in a box score,” Malloy added. “Carp is a guy who will pat me on the back even if I struck out. But he sees, ‘you worked him seven, eight pitches and that at bat tired him out.’

“It’s everybody throughout the lineup. Guys see those small things that end up being big things over the course of the game. Just doing the small things right, I think that’s just going to pay dividends.”

The Tigers host the White Sox to round out the series and vie for the three-game sweep Sunday at 1:40 p.m.