Tigers’ catcher earns vote of confidence after big night

DETROIT — Jake Rogers knows there’s competition for time at catcher.

That’s not stopping the Detroit Tiger from providing impact moments on his surging team.

A stint on the injured list held Rogers out for well over a month, leading to the emergence of 26-year-old catcher Dillon Dingler. Upon his return, Rogers’ hitting struggled to the tune of a 1-for-20 stretch.

But after delivering a two-hit, two-RBI performance while guiding pitcher Keider Montero in key moments through Detroit’s 11-5 victory over the Cincinnati Reds , Rogers proved his continued value to the Tigers’ roster.

“It’s no secret that we’ve got another catcher here that’s doing absolutely incredible and it’s been a switcher role after I got hurt, came back,” Rogers told reporters postgame.

“It feels good to go out there and put some barrels on the ball and just have great at-bats. I’ve been working really hard with the hitting coaches and trying to see what I need to do in order to make those changes and to have a great day at the plate, it feels really good.”

One game won’t make or break Rogers, but it was a rewarding for the longtime Tiger to step up at some critical junctures.

Rogers’ work behind the dish was solid as ever, helping Montero escape inherited runners on the corners from opener Brant Hurter in the bottom of the first and bases loaded in the fourth, allowing no runs.

Meanwhile, Rogers launched a double in the fourth inning and drew a clutch walk to load the bases in a breakaway four-run sixth inning.

He didn’t call it a night until after sending a two-run single into left field in the eighth inning.

“(Rogers) is awesome. He’s a great teammate. Great catcher, great hitter. He just went through a little scuffle,” outfielder Riley Greene said. “To be able to see that is awesome.”

Despite Dingler’s growing case for more time at catcher — posting a .283/.313/.455 slash line, seven homers and 29 RBIs this season — Rogers gave manager A.J. Hinch another reminder why the veteran deserves his time.

“I’m just really happy for him because of everything that this year has been for him, it kind of came full circle,” Hinch said. “Get some pitchers through some innings where there’s a big pitch that the game could swing one way or another, I love his presence. Timely visits to the mound, super important.

“Swinging the bat, getting the ball in the air a couple times with some big hits and a big walk. I think we need to all remember he’s a really good player and we lean on him a lot and we’re going to continue to do that. I want to get him in the lineup and when he has a night like that he can go home and sleep well knowing that he was a big part of this win.”