The Tigers Spring record fell to 6-4-1 today, thanks to a 7-6 loss to the Boston Red Sox in Lakeland. Unfortunately this game was more about just the final on the scoreboard when it was all said and done.
The two teams actually had a bench-clearing incident today following Todd Jones buzzed one past Boston's JD Drew -- twice. After the second pitch was behind Drew, Jones was tossed.
Jones was apparently throwing inside to Drew because of Josh Beckett's beaning of Gary Sheffield and Magglio Ordonez earlier in the game. Ordonez was actually hit in the head and had to exit the game early because of it for tests.
Jason Beck, Tigers beat writer, had this news regarding the beaned Tigers' slugger:
Following the ejection of the Tigers reliever, manager Jim Leyland had a few words for Sox third base coach DeMarlo Hale. The Tigers' skipper was soon tossed, which prompted a short war of words between the two cleared benches. Fortunately their were no punches thrown and it may just be a forgotten incident in the future.
Anyways, outside of the beaning incidents, Justin Verlander struggled in his start today against Boston. He gave up a five run first inning thanks to a Eric Hinske grand-slam. Overall Verlander had control problems, walking three and giving up five hits over his two innings of work.
One positive from the mound today came in the form of lefty Edward Campusano, the recent pickup from the rule-5 that is trying to impress the organization this Spring. In two scoreless innings he struck out two today, keeping his ERA at zero through five innings overall. He is making a case to be on the big league club come the regular season.
Pudge Rodriguez hit his second homer of the season today, a two-run shot in the sixth inning. Carlos Guillen drove in two runs for the Tigers as well.
Tomorrow will be the first split-squad day for Detroit, as the Tigers will start Chad Durbin against Philadelphia in Clearwater, while Mike Maroth will start against the Mets at Joker Marchant Stadium.