Well the Tigers dropped game 2 of this 4 game series, losing to the A’s 6-3. The game was mercifully called in the 6th inning due to rain. Justin Verlander started for the Tigers. Unfortunately Justin looked like the Verlander we have come accustomed to seeing this year rather than the Justin of old. Verlander gave up 2 runs in the 1st inning which took over 45 pitches in the process to complete. He gave up a leadoff walk (what’s new) to Coco Crisp and then a Josh Donaldson single. A wild pitch moved them up to 2nd and 3rd. Jed Lowrie then hit a double to right to knock in 2 runs. Moss and Cespedes struck out but then Justin walked Seth Smith. He was eventually able to get Alberto Callaspo to fly out to end the inning. However before the Tigers came to bat they were down 2-0. The Tigers showed some resiliency though. Jackson led off with a walk. He moved to 2nd on a single to right by Torii Hunter. Up came Cabrera and Oakland starter Tommy Milone showed no interest in pitching to him and walked Cabrera to load the bases with no out. Prince Fielder then drove a single into right center to knock in 2 runs and move Cabrera to 2nd. What looked like a potential big inning was cut short when Victor Martinez hit into a double play. However Cabrera moved to 3rd. Infante then hit a routine ground ball to Callaspo but he let it get under his glove and go into right for an error and scoring Cabrera. In the 2nd Verlander looked like he might settle down as he set the A’s down in order and quickly. However Milone also seemed to settle down as the Tigers could do nothing with him either. In the A’s half of the 3rd Moss walked with 2 out. Cespedes then came up. He barely missed hitting a home run down the right field line. He then proceeded to double into left to score Moss and tie the game. It stayed that way until the 5th. It was clear that it was starting to rain harder and whoever could breakthrough and score and take the lead to make this an official game would have the upper hand. The A’s did that in the 5th. Donaldson was able to get on when he hit a routine ground ball to Infante who failed to handle it, allowing him to get on with 1 out. Following a fielder’s choice, Moss hit a 2 run homer to left to put the A’s up. The Tigers were retired in order in the bottom of the 5th which made the game official. The A’s then came to bat in the 6th. Rondon came into relieve Verlander, which meant another short outing. He promptly gave up a leadoff homer to Smith to put the A’s up 6-3. He then gave up 2 singles with a walk sandwiched in. At that point the game was stopped and it never resumed. Also while Rondon was pitching he appeared to tweak a hamstring. Rand and Leyland came out to look at him and he stayed in but that will bear watching. The only good news is that Cleveland lost to remain 5 ½ games behind Detroit. As Sparky Anderson used to say in 1984 when you lose and your closest rivals lose it is just another day off the calendar. Kansas City did win to move within 9 ½ games of the Tigers. Doug Fister will take the mound tomorrow night and try to end the skid. As for Justin there were no positives to take out of this game in my opinion. It just seemed to be more of what we have seen lately. Stay tuned, this thing is not over yet there is still allot of baseball to be played.
Posted on: Wed, 28 Aug 2013 03:30:14 +0000
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