Jackson High School graduate Dillon Dingler got his first taste of MLB All-Star Game action on Tuesday night in Philadelphia, and the Detroit Tigers catcher finished 0-for-1 in the American League’s 4-0 win.
Dingler, now in his second full season in the majors, became the first Stark County player picked for the Midsummer Classic since Thurman Munson in 1978. He entered the game in the fourth inning, taking over for A’s catcher Shea Langeliers, then struck out in his only plate appearance in the fifth against Nationals rookie Foster Griffin, a 30-year-old making his debut season. Dingler was lifted in the top of the eighth, when Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman came in to pinch hit as the AL’s third catcher.
The game belonged to the pitchers, with the American League piling up 27 strikeouts and two Cleveland Guardians arms, Parker Messick and Cade Smith, helping keep the National League off the board. Dingler was among the hitters who went down swinging.
His first All-Star appearance also lined up with Justin Verlander’s 10th and final selection. Verlander, who recently said he’ll retire after the season, is back with the Tigers this year, and Dingler stood beside him during the pregame player introductions.
Even with the quiet night at the plate, Dingler’s first-half numbers explain why he was there. He went into the break leading all AL catchers with a .262 average and 60 RBIs, while his 19 home runs ranked second among catchers. That RBI total put him eighth in the American League overall, and his homer total tied him for 14th leaguewide.
He’s also been hot since June began, batting .320 over that stretch. Among AL catchers, Dingler leads in doubles with 19, triples with 2, slugging percentage at .508 and OPS at .831, and he ranks second in hits with 85 and runs with 48.
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