With Detroit down by three to the Cubs, it was time to start tossing dirt on the coffin of the Tigers' 2012 season. Or at least, that's the way it felt. On the road or not, losing the first two games of a series against one of (or the) worst teams in baseball while looking downright putrid is bad, mmmkay?
But then Detroit started hitting. Four runs in the sixth, another run in the seventh, two more in the eighth. You had Jhonny Peralta going from the glaring lights of examination after his poor throws in the eighth inning Tuesday to hitting everything in sight. Singe, double, triple. Three at bats, three good results. The only player who might get credit for outdoing him is Brennan Boesch, who had four hits in five at bats. He hit a solo home run and played a part in a couple of other runs.
All of a sudden, hey, maybe things aren't so bad. This could be the start of something goo-- OK still not going there.
If anything, Wednesday's game was a reminder of exactly who these Detroit Tigers are -- or at least who we thought they could be. They didn't have a flawless game of defense, but it wasn't awful. The opponents scored a couple of runs. But the lineup started stringing some hits together and put a crooked number on the board. In the end, the backend of the bullpen clamped down and escaped without allowing a run.
"Bu they were playing the Cubs!" Sure beats losing to the Cubs, right?
Detroit has a chance to win a second consecutive series Thursday with Justin Verlander on the mound.
3 ROARS
Jhonny Peralta -- had a chance to hit for a natural cycle, was walked in the ninth
Brennan Boesch - Double, home run, diving catch. Playing well the past 10 games or so
Brayan Villarreal - Bridged the gap nicely with two perfect innings of relief
BONUS ROAR
Nice catch by Austin Jackson to end the game
3 HISSES
Rick Porcello was a bit rough.
Oh forget hissing, Tigers won, damn it.
Ooh third hiss: Carlos Marmol for walking Peralta on four pitches but throwing strikes to everyone else in the ninth.
GAME 61 POG
Austin Jackson took his second consecutive win