:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/3386406/119393422.jpg)
KEY STAT
Carlos Guillen's stat line: 2-3, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 HR (a monstrous 400+ foot shot to Comerica's Death Valley in right center), 1 BB, and a .400 BA since his return from the DL.
Carlos, you've been missed.
A suggestion to the BYB community: Please stockpile any and all lucky charms you may have and use their power to keep Guillen healthy for the remainder of the season.
The Detroit Tigers thank you.
KEY PLAY 1
Is the key play even in question?
Well, it may not have been the most key in the win, but it sure was one of the most entertaining plays of the season thanks to Victor Martinez's dance moves! Martinez may be slow...but he's got style.
KEY PLAYS 2 & 3
Miguel Cabrera and Guillen's two run home runs during the Tigers' game deciding six run rally in the 5th inning. Both were of the tape measure variety.
KEY THOUGHTS
Rick Porcello flirted with danger all night long, pitching into and out of jams in his six innings. It was just enough to garner him his 9th win of the season. Porcello's most spectacular escape was pitching his way out of a bases loaded, no out jam in the 4th.
Al Alburquerque finished off the game for the Tigers, and looked good doing so. Al-Al's slider was its old, unhittable self, as three K's in 1.2 innings attest.
Austin Jackson looks quite refreshed after missing the past several games with a wrist injury. It's the best Jackson has looked at the plate in quite some time.
Jim Leyland started what may be the Tigers' best offensive lineup, and they played like it. Well, if you don't count the nine hole. Brandon Inge looks absolutely lost at the plate, He posted another hitless game, going 0-4 and dropping his BA to .177. After committing an error late in the game, the crowd let Inge have it in a big way. And no, they weren't yelling, "Boo-urns."
Thanks to the Twins' 2-1 walk-off win over the Indians tonight, the Tigers moved back into a tie for 1st place in the Central with a 51-45 record.
Tomorrow, the Duane Below era begins.
KEY ROSTER MOVES
As expected, the Tigers made a pair of roster moves after the game, setting up Below to move into the 5th starter role, temporary though it may be.
Via the Tigers' official Twitter:
Tigers have optioned Wilk and Wells to Toledo. Below and Furbush will be recalled from Toledo on Wednesday.
Charlie Furbush will likely go back to long relief, replacing Adam Wilk.
With the return of Guillen, the Tigers had one position player too many. Losing his 2nd base gig, Ryan Raburn and his iron glove were moved back to the outfield and Brandon Inge (despite his .177 BA) is going nowhere. So as the odd man out, Wells got screwed over in a roster squeeze. Jim Leyland even said in the post game, "He didn't deserve to go down."
Expect the "Free Casper Wells" campaign to start on the next BYB Podcast.