Willi Castro HR highlights Detroit Tigers' 10-2 win in Grapefruit League opener

LAKELAND, Fla. — Willi Castro wants to put his stamp on the everyday shortstop job the Detroit Tigers are entrusting him with this season. He hopes to stick around, but it's imperative for him to show last season wasn't a fluke.

The 23-year-old started the year strong, launching a 458-foot home run on the first official pitch he has seen since last September. Exploding for six runs in the first inning, the Tigers coasted to a 10-2 win Sunday over the Philadelphia Phillies in the Grapefruit League opener at Joker Marchant Stadium.

The game lasted seven innings.

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Left-hander Tyler Alexander, the Tigers' starter, gave up a second-pitch (86.4 mph cutter) home run to Adam Haseley in the top of the first inning but settled down. He allowed two runs in two innings, with three hits, zero walks and one strikeout.

Alexander used 30 pitches (22 strikes).

The Tigers travel to Tampa on Sunday for a 1:05 p.m. ET matchup with the New York Yankees. Right-hander Kyle Funkhouser is starting. On the other side, the Detroit bats have to deal with right-hander Gerrit Cole, a three-time All-Star.

Inning ends before three

After 27 pitches from Nova and 23 more from Jonathan Hennigan — resulting in a combined five walks and six runs allowed — Phillies manager Joe Girardi ended the first inning, even though the Tigers had the bases loaded with two outs.

The crowd booed the Phillies as they came off the field.

Castro's error

The biggest concern about Castro remaining at shortstop is his defense. One side of the debate is that he needs more experience to develop. (He only has 66 games in parts of two seasons.) The other side will explain Castro is a much better fit at second base, where his arm accuracy isn't tested as much.

In the top of the third, Castro ranged to his left and attempted a backhanded flip to second baseman Harold Castro covering the base up the middle. But Harold wasn't ready for Willi's flip and assumed he would throw to first base. The miscommunication resulted in an error.

Catchers start strong

Three of the four catchers competing for the backup job played: Grayson Greiner, Dustin Garneau and Eric Haase. Each of them collected a hit, with Haase hitting a home run in the sixth inning and Greiner adding a walk.

Jake Rogers is the other catcher in competition.

Lineup

Here's how the Tigers started the game: Willi Castro (SS), Jeimer Candelario (3B), Christin Stewart (LF), Wilson Ramos (DH), Harold Castro (2B), JaCoby Jones (CF), Akil Baddoo (RF), Daniel Pinero (1B) and Dustin Garneau (C).

Pinero got the start because the team doesn't have another first baseman to use, considering Hinch wants to keep Candelario at third base for now. The team's No. 1 prospect, Spencer Torkelson, would have played at first or third base in this game — had he not cut his finger last week.

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Miguel Cabrera, another option at first base, did not play. His workload, especially in early spring games, will be monitored closely.

Five players from the mini-camp portion of spring training were activated for Sunday's game: right-handers Nolan Blackwood, Drew Carlton, Robbie Ross Jr. and Logan Shore, along with catcher Brady Policelli.

The Tigers used six pitchers, in this order: Alexander, Derek Holland, Alex Lange, Ian Krol, Ross Jr. and Carlton.

Prospects play

The first lineup change came in the second inning, as Eric Haase replaced Wilson Ramos as a pinch runner. Two of the team's prospects — outfielder Riley Greene and second baseman Kody Clemens — entered in the later innings.

Greene struck out swinging on a 95.8 mph fastball from Enyel De Los Santos in his first at-bat of the spring, then he grounded into a fielder's choice in the sixth. Clemens singled off pitcher JD Hammer's glove in his only at-bat.

Welcome back, fans

For the first time in 353 days — dating to March 12, 2020 — the Tigers welcomed fans to watch their team play a baseball game. Tickets went on sale Feb. 18, with a limited capacity of 2,000 fans per game, and sold out in three hours.

Evan Petzold is a sports reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers' Willi Castro HRs in Grapefruit League opener, win 10-2