:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/3238857/118191679.jpg)
KEY STAT
Charlie Furbush's first start: 4 2/3 innings, 5 strike outs, 3 runs.
KEY PLAY
The Tigers trailed 3-1 in the sixth inning, but they had a pair of runners on, no outs and Miguel Cabrera up to bat. He skied one to center field. Peter Bourjos managed to track it down, leapt, hit the wall, and held on for the catch. Here's the video. Next at bat: double play. Threat over. Some times you've got to tip your cap.
Detroit followed it up with a double play hit into in the seventh inning as well.
NOT KEY BUT COOL PLAY
Brandon Inge with a bit of a juggled catch after a long run in foul territory. Video here. Didn't impact things greatly but looked cool.
KEY THOUGHTS
Another key stat: the 3-4-5 hitters were a combined 0-for-9. They did have three walks and a couple well hit balls, but you just can't produce runs when the middle guys are struggling to get hits.
Furbush's first major league start was fine, more or less. Nothing to write home about, nothing to dread. He appeared to get his cleats stuck on the mound in a weird play that resulted in a balk for a run. He gave up a home run to Torii Hunter in the first inning. He allowed five hits and a walk. But the real key was just getting that first MLB start out of the way.
However, he was limited to 65 pitches because Jim Leyland wants to build up his pitch count. And there's nothing wrong with that. But with the Tigers bullpen already being strained -- and kind of stinky before the 8th inning -- it leaves a bit of acid in the stomach.
Phil Coke made his first relief appearance since leaving the rotation. He served up a home run but had three strike outs.
Otherwise, well, boring game. The Tigers have to break out of this two week slump they're in. They're back to playing that boring, awful baseball that they were doing in late April and into May. Good news is, they busted out of it once. These things don't last forever. But while it lasts, this certainly sucks.