The Detroit Tigers took on both the Houston Astros and New York Mets in (odd for for so late in spring training) split squad action, and won both games. In Lakeland, the Tigers vanquished the Astros, 4-2., while in Port St. Lucie, the Tigers pounded the Mets, 9-2.
Doug Fister got the start at home, and just like Justin Verlander on Saturday, was in mid-season form. Fister tossed 6 innings of 4 hit, 1 run ball. Fister ends the spring with a 4-0 record and 1.86 ERA.
Jose Valverde closed out the game, allowing 1 run, receiving credit for the save.
Jhonny Peralta led, or more correctly, was the Tigers' offense, thanks to a 2-4, 3 RBI, 2 extra base hit afternoon.
On the road, the Tigers were led by their 2011 2nd round draft pick, catcher James McCann, who clubbed a 6th inning grand slam in route to a 3-4, 4 RBI afternoon. Prince Fielder also went yard, a solo shot in the 4th. The utility wizard, Don Kelly, chimed in with 3 hits and an RBI.
On the mound, a cast of thousands (Thad Weber, Daniel Schlereth, Bruce Rondon, Matt Crouse, Victor Larez), only one of whom will go north with the team, held the Mets to just 2 hits.
With the Sunday sweep, the Tigers move to 19-7 in Grapefruit League play. Tomorrow, the Tigers take on the Toronto Blue Jays in Lakeland, as we count down the hours until opening day on Thursday.
In injury news, Brennan Boesch was scratched from the Lakeland lineup due to neck spasms, but is expected to be back on Monday. Ramon Santiago left the Mets game due to allergy issues. (Let's hope the Benadryl kicks in)
As for gimpy groined Brandon Inge? He's not close to being healthy enough to play. Jim Leyland says it's possible he'll be placed on the DL (according to MLB's Jason Beck, backdated to Friday) to start the season. So the news wasn't all bad.
FYI: As 97.1 WXYT FM in Detroit thought their listenership would be better served by sticking to their God awful man talk format instead of, you know, broadcast actual baseball, I had to follow the action on MLB Gameday. Talk about a painful experience. I have to give a shout out to the BYB community, who were able to fill in the blanks (literally, if you were trying to follow Gameday) in the game thread.