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KEY STAT
Don Kelly, 3-for-5, 2 runs, 2 RBI, HR, double
KEY PLAY
Don Kelly 2-run home run in the 8th inning.
KEY THOUGHTS
Detroit had to rally from a run down twice. Thanks to Victor Martinez, they did so both times. In the eighth, Royals pitcher Kelvin Herrera became the most recent victim of the Tigers. Making his MLB debut, Herrera hit Ryan Raburn, watched as pinch-hitter Miguel Cabrera drove a hard double down the right field line, and learned about the sneaky power of Don Kelly. 6-3, Tigers. Win 90 in the bag.
Doug Fister got the win, going three innings in relief of Max Scherzer. It was Fister's 10th win. I'm not one of those people who put too much mind to wins either way. However considering Fister's complete lack of wins despite some great performances with the Mariners, I guess it's kind of poetic justice or something. Every pitcher in Detroit's rotation now has 10 wins. I don't necessarily think that means anything but it sounds nice.
Because this question keeps coming up, let's try to get it cleared up right here. The split start between Max Scherzer and Fister was to allow manager Jim Leyland the luxury of working out his playoff rotation later. The reason it had to come today was because the off day allowed for it. Without the off day, someone was going to lose a day of rest. And why hasn't Leyland figured out his playoff rotation? I don't believe he has said it, but Scherzer will almost certainly be scheduled for the game at Comerica Park. We just don't know if that's Game 2 or Game 3 yet.
By the way, Scherzer struck out five in five innings while allowing two runs on five hits.
Jose Valverde picked up his 47th save of the year. No, you do not want him to blow a save for the sake of blowing a save. If there was some requirement that he blow a save -- and only one -- this year maybe you'd be on to something. But blowing a save is no guarantee he will not blow another. Not blowing a save is no guarantee he will blow one. This is all in your head. Just let the man pitch.