DETROIT -- On the 14th pitch of the longest at-bat of his career on Saturday night, Dillon Dingler drilled a ball down the left-field line that landed just foul.

The next pitch from Michael Wacha appeared to be six inches off the plate. Dingler didn’t bite and prepared to jog to first base. Then home plate umpire Adam Beck rang him up.

At the time, Dingler didn’t look angry so much as immensely disappointed. To have such a marathon at-bat end with nothing to show for it was crushing, especially in the sixth inning. Wacha had crossed the 100-pitch mark and was almost certainly facing his final batter of the game regardless of the outcome. The inning, and perhaps the game, could have turned entirely on that plate appearance.

As it turned out, the Tigers went on to win . Befitting the di

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