Even during spring training, the Tigers cannot win in a game on ESPN. It's insane. Some streaks are just meant to be. Someone please get the Worldwide Leader to keep Detroit off its network for the entire season, thanks.
Justin Verlander nearly made it through six innings, but couldn't get the final out and had no help from lefty reliever Fu-Te Ni. So the third run was charged to JV, and he was tagged with the meaningless loss in a meaningless game. Knowing Verlander's competetiveness, he probably was unhappy about it. Ni gave up a pair of runs of his owning, making the three-run sixth inning enough for the Braves to get the win.
Brandon Inge and Gerald Laird both had a pair of hits. So did Verlander, who can only be described as an awkward batter who apparently inside-outted one into the opposite field. At least I think that's what happened. ESPN was too busy showing a Braves' coach talking about something else.
And Johnny Damon played in center field. Please, let that never happen in a real game.
Comment of the Night
Erin (sabrerosetiger) sums it up pretty well:
So, all in all, I'd say it's a pretty typical ESPN outing for the Tigers