All good things must end. All bad things must continue.
Sport-starter Alfredo Figaro gave up his fourth run of the day in the third inning, ending the Tigers' string of quality starts at eight. He lasted five innings and allowed eight hits and two walks.
Meanwhile the whole RISP thing continued happily along. The team went 1-for-9, the only hit a ninth-inning double by Casper Wells to cut the deficit to one run. With a chance to tie the game, Ramon Santiago struck out swinging to go 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position for the day. If you're keeping track, the Tigers are hitting 2-for-25 in the past two games.
In the postgame, Jim Leyland pointed out a first-inning blunder -- also involving Santiago -- would have been key. Will Rhymes doubled to lead off the game. Ramon Santiago put down a poor bunt -- I'll leave you to question why the Tigers were playing for one run in the first inning when they had a poor spot starter on the mound -- that allowed the Blue Jays to tag out Rhymes before he reached third base. Santiago, too, got tagged out trying to go to second.
Well I guess if you want to find a bright spot, Daniel Schlereth managed to pitch two innings without walking anyone. He struck out three. Of course three got hits. But no free passes is something he can hopefully build on. And of course Miguel Cabrera hit his 33rd home run of the season.
As for the Tigers, well at this point they are what they are. To expect them to start hitting with runners on base a this point in the season seems laughable at best.