DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers' offense was disjointed and Jordan Zimmermann was serving up batting practice to the Toronto Blue Jays. Despite an early two-run home run from Nick Castellanos, the Tigers couldn't climb back from an early deficit and quietly lost 7-2 to Toronto, ending their five-game winning streak.
It all came crashing down on Wednesday. Jordan Zimmermann coughed up a seven-spot to the Blue Jays in what was his worst start since May 16 when he allowed eight runs. Two home runs, two triples (in one inning!), and eight of the nine hits were the responsibility of Zimmermann, none of which he could contain.
Zimmermann lasted just 4 2/3 inning before being pulled in favor of Anibal Sanchez, who went 2 1/3 innings with just one hit allowed and a strikeout. The bullpen would go on to keep the Blue Jays off the board, but by then it was too late. Mark Lowe, excluding a leadoff walk, had an otherwise strong outing, and Blaine Hardy fared well, too.
The wind was blowing out fairly well, but that apparently did nothing to help the Tigers string together enough key hits. They, too, had nine hits, but had just two runs to show for it. Nick Castellanos smoked a two-run homer to left to tie it in the first inning, but that's as close as they would come to matching the Blue Jays. There were a couple of scoring opportunities, but they ended weakly.
ROARS:
Nick Castellanos: The two-run homer gave Detroit early life but it died there. He also singled in the third.
Anibal Sanchez: Put up 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief.
The bullpen: Altogether, Sanchez, Mark Lowe, and Blaine Hardy kept Toronto from inflicting further damage. Still, it's a small comfort.
HISSES:
Jordan Zimmermann: Seven runs allowed isn't gonna get it done any day of the week. Especially when two of the nine hits resulted in multi-run homers.
Tigers offense: Couldn't do enough damage against R.A. Dickey despite putting together nine hits.
STREAKS AND STATS:
- The Tigers snapped their five-game winning streak and couldn't collect their second straight sweep.
- Jordan Zimmermann's seven runs allowed marked just the second time this season that he's given up at least that many in a start. His last was on May 16 versus the Twins, but he at least went seven innings in that start. He lasted just 4 2/3 on Wednesday, his shortest start since July 17, 2015 when he went four innings and gave up just two runs on three hits.
- Miguel Cabrera's single in the fifth inning gave him a 10-game hitting streak. During that time he's batting .293/.341/.439. Not fantastic, but consistent enough considering his last six straight have been one-hit singles games.
- Jose Iglesias has an eight-game hitting streak with his second-inning single. He's batting .400/.483/.520 in that time.
WIN PROBABILITY GRAPH:
Source: FanGraphs