KEY STAT
7: The number of runs Detroit scored in the 8th inning after scoring 1 the first seven innings.
KEY PLAY A
The key plays work in tandem. Without both, the Tigers don't score seven runs in the eighth inning. Pinch hitting Don Kelly for Ryan Raburn with one out in the eighth worked out when Kelly singled. He represented the tying run.
KEY PLAY B
After Casper Wells and Magglio Ordonez came through with two-out walks to load the bases, Miguel Cabrera gave Detroit the lead with a two-run single to left field. Starting with Cabrera, five consecutive hits and an error led to the big inning.
KEY THOUGHTS
First off, here's the video of the Tigers' tribute to Sparky Anderson before the game if you missed it. We already wrote a lot more about this when the ceremony was first announced, but "it's about time" about covered my feelings when the 11 on the brick wall was revealed.
That said, wow. That was one hell of an eighth inning wasn't it? I admit that I didn't see it coming. These kinds of comebacks have been few and far inbetween this season. And to come back with two outs and put up such a crooked number? Things were going incredible for the home town team. Thank Sparky, I say.
Others who were key: Brad Penny limited the Diamondbacks to 2 runs in 6 2/3 innings. Al Alburquerque relieved him and stranded Penny's remaining runners in the seventh, including one on third base. Jhonny Peralta homered again.
Alex Avila had the day off, but vote him as the AL starting catcher at the all-star game anyway if you haven't!
The Tigers actually won an interleague series. First one this year. First one at home. And they did it by scoring 14 runs during the past two games. Not surprising I guess that the DH helps.
By the way Chicago and Minnesota lost. I don't think you should be obsessing over how the other teams in the division are doing when it's still June. But I know you are so I provide that update as a service.