Key stat (part 1)
Alex Avila went 3-for-4, Victor Martinez 3-for-5, both homered. So that's a 6-for-9 stat-line with 6 RBI (five by Avila) and 2 HR from the Tigers catching staff.
Key stat (part 2)
Justin Verlander had 9 strikeouts in eight innings and dominated most of the night
Key play
Starting Alex Avila!
Key thoughts
Winning > Losing
Jellybeans > No jellybeans
Obviously you have to laud Avila for coming back from such a bad start to the year with a great game. Not only at the plate, but behind it he did much better as well. He even threw our Vladimir Guerrero when he tried to take an extra base. (Of course that was on a throw home that goes between Avila's wickets, but we're more than happy to forgive and forget that part). Avila had the most RBIs by a Tigers catcher since Pudge Rodriguez wore the D on his cap.
This was the game the Tigers had the best chance of winning, of course. With Justin Verlander on the mound against an Orioles pitcher who didn't even make the rotation, there's a sizable advantage toward the guys from Detroit. Still, the Tigers handled their part of the equation in phenomenal fashion for the much-needed win.
Miguel Cabrera homered again. That's career No. 250 for him. Obviously we like that. Magglio Ordonez had a pair of hits. We like that too. So that's 7 hits from the 3-4-5 guys in the order. That's the kind of production you expect from three awesome Venezuelans.
Unfortunately, the top of the order went 0-for-9 with a walk, though Will Rhymes did make it on base due to an error. Both players are under the Mendoza line to start the year. That's a bit disconcerting, especially for Austin Jackson, but it's early in the season so no kneejerk reactions should be made.
Jim Leyland is five wins from 1500.
The Tigers were 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position if you're tracking that.
Detroit is 2-3 on the road to start the year. Getting back home with a .500 road trip would be a great way to start the season, needless to say, especially since the club struggled on the road last year and it's playing the AL East.