The Detroit Tigers (51-31) maintained at least a tie for the best record in Major League Baseball with an 8-0 win over the Athletics on Thursday. 

A big reason for Detroit’s success this season is that the team is getting meaningful contributions throughout the lineup, not just relying on star players. (Though the Tigers have one in reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal.) 

Thursday’s win provided an excellent example of that with Dietrich Enns getting the start for the Tigers and earning the win with five scoreless innings. He allowed one hit with two walks and four strikeouts. 

Detroit provided an early 3-0 lead for Enns with a first-inning homer from Spencer Torkelson and a two-run double by Jahmai Jones against Athletics starter Jeffrey Springs. The Tigers later added to their lead with a two-run shot in the seventh from Gleyber Torres, followed by a two-run triple by Zach McKinstry and sacrifice fly from Jake Rogers in the eighth. 

Enns, 34, hadn’t pitched in the majors since September 2021 with the Tampa Bay Rays. For the past four years, he played in Japan and Korea. The Tigers signed him to a minor-league deal in January and he made 14 starts in Triple-A, compiling a 2.89 ERA, 71 strikeouts in 62 1/3 innings and a 2-2 record. 

“I’m proud of him for the journey,” Tigers manager AJ Hinch said afterward. “He’s been around the world and worked his way back.”

“He’s not just doing the same thing over and over again, hoping for a new opportunity,” Hinch added. “He refined his changeup. He’s learned count leverage a little better. His arsenal has shifted. Adjustments don’t mean a complete overhaul. It just means subtle tweaks and the performance followed.”

Enns was originally selected in the 19th round of the 2012 MLB Draft by the New York Yankees. After seven years in the Yankees organization, he also played in the Minnesota Twins and San Diego Padres systems.

Interestingly, Enns’ first two major-league wins before Thursday both came against the Tigers, five days apart in 2021.