For the second start in a row, Rick Porcello struggled mightily and picked up an L. For the second start in his last three, he gave up double-digit hits (10). Overall, he gave up six runs in the first two innings, completely cancelling out the Tigers own fast start of four runs. Porcello settled down to get through a couple scoreless innings, but the damage was already done.
Texas’ starter, Colby Lewis, rebounded himself, but in a much bigger way by going 6.1 IP and striking out 10. At one point, he retired 15 straight, all after letting 9 of the first 11 Tigers reach. Tigers will have to win tomorrow to salvage the split in their last game out west before heading home for an inter-division series with the Minnesota Twins.
NI, NICE REBOUND
Fu Te Ni looked a lot better in this outing than he did the other night – also a loss. His control still isn’t where it needs to be (28/45 strikes and two walks), but I don’t think anyone will complain about two scoreless innings of work and five strikeouts.
STREAKING TIGERS
Miguel Cabrera snapped his 7 game hit streak with an 0-3. Johnny Damon, though, extended his hit streak to 12 games. He’s hit safely in 13 of the last 15 and rocks a .323 BA and .443 OBP. Giggity.
LOOKS AT THE ROOKS
Austin Jackson, playing in his hometown state this series, hit his first MLB home run. It was a leadoff homer in the first inning to dead-center field. He finished the game 2-4 and is hitting .316 on the young season.
Scott Sizemore was 1-2 with a walk. He also scored a run and turned a double play of the 4-6-3 variety. He’s hitting .271.
Brennan Boesch experienced his first hitless game as a MLB’er, 0-4. Let’s see how he bounces back.
BOX SCORE SCREEN SHOT
I didn’t catch the entire game because I had my own baseball game (we won). I watched the abbreviated version on MLB.TV tonight, but I didn’t sit through all of the scoreless innings. The box score might be helpful if you’re like me. (Click to enlarge)
AROUND THE CENTRAL
The good news today is that the Twins finally lost a game to the Royals, 4-3. Royals were outhit and tried to give it away in the 9th, but everybody has to win a game now and then. Thankfully, for the Tigers, it was against the Twins today.
Cleveland got smoked, 11-0, by the A’s. Justin Masterson was nobody’s master and gave up 7 ER in 4 innings. Eric Chavez, yes that Eric Chavez, had three RBIs for the A’s.
Last, and certainly least, White Sox weathered a rain delay (pun!) and an early deficit to win this one against the Mariners, 3-2.
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