July 22, 2023
By Fred Liggett
sports.lstribune08@gmail.com
Now at 27 years of age Alex Lange still enjoys his time spent in Kansas City. Proof of that came on Monday night July 17th when the Lee’s Summit native helped his Detroit Tigers earn a come from behind 3-2 win over the Kansas City Royals. The 2014 LS West High School grad is enjoying a successful 2023 season no matter where he goes.
Lange was part of Major League Baseball history on Saturday, July 8th when he was part of a combined no-hitter in the Tigers 2-0 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. Lange along with two other Tigers pitchers recorded the first combined no hitter in franchise history. Lange, a right-handed reliever, was brought in for the ninth inning needing to record just three outs to complete the history making feat. Lange says of the task in front of him “didn’t want to let the guys down, just do my job.” Lange faced the top of the Blue Jays lineup and did his job setting them down in order, 1, 2, 3.
Lange didn’t wait till July to have much success in the 2023 season. Lange was named American League Reliever of the Month and Tigers Pitcher of the Month for May. Lange appeared in 10 games and posted a 2-0 record with seven saves and a 0.84 ERA. From a period lasting April 12 to May 22 Lange did not allow a run in 16 consecutive appearances, the longest streak of his young career. Lange picked up his fifth win on the season on July 1st to rank third among American League relievers with five wins. Lange’s work on Monday night was his 39th appearance on the season where he has accumulated a 5-2 record.
In front of his parents, friends and his private youth pitching instructor Lange capped his first day back in Kansas City with his 15th save on the 2023 season. Lange was brought in for the ninth inning and set the KC Royals down in order to ensure a 3-2 Detroit Tigers victory. Lange currently ranks 10th in the American League with those 15th saves.
Now in his fourth season with the Detroit Tigers Lange admits when he looks at scouting reports the Royals “are just another team in the division.” Those scouting reports are serving Lange well as he got credit for a Tigers win at the K back on May 22nd. Then Lange recorded a save on Monday, June 19th in another Tigers win in KC.
Lange estimates he has been back to KC “now 5 or 6 times” as a professional player. No matter how many more appearances Lange has back in his hometown fans won’t be surprised to see continued success from the former Titan.
